KOHAT A soldier was killed and nine others injured in a suicide attack at a security check post in Doaba area of Hangu district on Tuesday morning.

The district police officer, Hangu Sajjad Khan confirmed that a suicide bomber rammed his explosives laden car into a military check post at a bridge in Doaba bazaar. As a result nine security personnel were injured. One of them died in the Combined Military Hospital Thall.

Police and military officials sealed the area after arriving at the scene. The investigators collected parts of the car used in the suicide attack. Traffic remained suspended for several hours between Hangu and Parachinar.

The body of the deceased sepoy Haq Nawaz was flown to Kohat from where it was sent to his home town. The injured have been shifted to CMH, Kohat.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the attack could be the handiwork of Taliban militants in Orakzai Agency who have been pressured into vacating the area and registering themselves with the political administration.

It has been learnt that most local tribes - notably the Aa Khel, Rabia Khel and Mishti - have changed their earlier stance and decided to take benign action against the militants against the wishes of the government.

Security forces have subsequently tightened security in Kohat and Hangu along the border with Orakzai and Darra Adamkhel.