LADHA, May 28: Two soldiers were killed and several injured in a Taliban ambush in Kot Langarkhel area of South Waziristan Agency on Monday morning, according to local political administration and intelligence officials.

However, a Taliban militant put the toll at five.

Khadim, a close associate of local Taliban commander Shamim Mehsud, told Dawn that militants attacked a group of 10 security personnel as they were fetching water on mules and donkeys from a well in Kot Langar village of Ladha subdivision.

He claimed that five personnel were killed, three injured and two fled.

The militant also reported the death of a mule and a donkey in the ambush.

In Tank, police claimed to have repulsed a militant attack on Mullazai police station early on Monday.

According to police, a group of 80 to 90 militants holding heavy weapons attacked the police station.

Policemen fought against attackers for over one hour forcing the latter to flee. Later, security personnel also showed up.

They jointly cordoned off the area and began search operation.

During the search, a roadside improvised explosive device exploded after a police van hit it. The explosion injured policemen Samiullah, Fayyaz, and Bashir, who were taken to the District Headquarters Hospital, Tank.

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan later accepted responsibility for the attack.

According to a spokesman for TTP, Ihsanullah Ihsan, told reporters from an undisclosed location that Taliban would continue fighting the government until Shariah was enforced in the country.

He also claimed responsibility for Nowshera attack on a security forces’ convoy and said security forces were his group’s main target and such attacks would continue.

In Mohmand Agency, militants on Monday blew up a government boy’s primary school in Qayumabad Lakaro area of Safi tehsil. However, no loss of life was reported.

Local officials said the building was completely destroyed by explosive devices used in the act of terrorism. The explosion was so loud that it shattered windowpanes of nearby houses.

An official of the local political administration confirmed the explosion and said as the area was remote and the blast took place at night, assessment of the damage had yet to be done.

Over the last few months, 95 schools, dozens of health centres and a few telephone exchanges have been targeted by militants in Mohmand Agency.

In Safi tehsil alone, more than 45 schools have been blown up leaving more than 25,000 children without education. People, especially those living in the far-flung areas of the agency, have also complained of poor health facilities, especially after the destruction of these centres.

Editorial

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