PESHAWAR, Feb 1: Militants blew up two schools one after the other in the suburbs of the provincial capital on Tuesday as security forces continued hunting down their comrades in the tribal areas of the province.

An official of the Bomb Disposal Unit said 5kg of explosives were used to bomb the Maryam Zai School. Two more devices, each weighing 5kg, planted at the site did not explode and were defused, he said.

Adezai Qaumi Lashkar Head Dilawar Khan when contacted said that they had the information that the militants would try to target the area. “Our volunteers had barricaded a road and were patrolling the area, but the militants managed to enter and plant the explosives.”

“The bombing of the boys school leaves no option for the poor girls who were shifted there but to say goodbye to education,” lamented the leader of the vigilante group.

“Our people are active but the militants are also very careful and changing their tactics,” he said. He complained that the government was not compensating them despite repeated complaints.

He said that the police officials had been apprised of the reservations of the volunteers but the government was least bothered to encourage the peace body members.

He said Adezai was located close to the tribal belt and militants could easily cross over to attack their targets in Peshawar. “We have lost everything and are unable to fight the militants without any resources. Now it is the duty of government to ensure protection to the people and their properties,” he said.

In Mohmand Agency, the security forces continued their offensive on Tuesday in different areas of the tribal region.

The security forces conducted search operation in Sagi, Dwaizi, Shesh Mahal, Zaukor, Walidad Kor, Bahdar Kali, Khona Kandao, Suran Dara, Rega Shah and Ambar. Helicopter gunships also pounded militant hideouts in these areas. Three vehicles and several hideouts were destroyed in the attack.

Thousands of tribal people have migrated to Nahqai and Daneshkol IDP camps where relief teams are engage in providing food and other items of daily use to the displaced people. The IDPs are facing a host of problems at these camps due to chilly weather.

Meanwhile, the security forces defused five bombs and recovered a mortar shell in different areas of Swat on Tuesday.

The security forces on a tip-off cordoned Tootano Bandai area of Kabal tehsil and recovered four bombs planted by suspected militants.

Another bomb was recovered from Ali Grama area which was planted along a roadside. Al the five bombs were later defused.

The security forces also recovered a mortar shell near a petrol pump in Matta Khas.