TIMERGARA, Jan 2: Two militants were killed in an encounter after a roadside bomb went off near a police mobile van at Samarbagh here on Sunday injuring three officials. Sources said that the police were on routine patrol when a roadside bomb exploded at a sharp turn at Bokray, hitting the rear part of the van.

Additional station house officer Shah Khalid, assistant sub-inspector Razimand Khan and constable Qismat Ali were injured in the blast, sources said.

They were rushed to a local the DHQ Hospital, where Razimand is stated to be in critical condition.

Meanwhile, the district police officer Dir Lower Mumtaz Zarin while talking to local journalists confirmed that two militants were killed during an encounter with police and local armed lashkar.

He said that people of the area chased the militants after they carried out the blast. He said there was an exchange of fire and as a result two militants were killed. Police, he added also recovered another bomb, two suicide jackets, two uniforms, a battery cell and 10-yard wire from the militants. The two militants killed in exchange of fire could not be identified. The Dir Lower police also conducted a search operation in the area.

The DPO announced Rs30,000 cash reward for locals and police taking part in the encounter. He praised the local public for cooperation with police in curbing militancy.