KOHAT/SWABI, April 13: Unidentified motorcyclists shot dead a tribal elder from Orakzai Agency and injured four passers-by on Hangu-Thall Road on Saturday.

Police said that two motorcyclists opened firing on Mohammad Akram, killing him on the spot. Four passers-by were also injured in the incident. The attackers managed to escape.

The injured, including a woman, were identified as Khadim Hussain, Sayal Badshah, Azizullah and Majo Bibi. They belonged to Hangu and Kohat districts. The dead and the injured were shifted to district headquarters hospital in Hangu.

In Swabi, a bomb planted near the house of former provincial minister and district president of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl was defused by the bomb disposal squad on Saturday.

The former minister, when contacted, said that he did not know as to who planted the bomb near his house, situated on Zarobi-Kalabat Road.

He said that his neighbour, who was going to mosque for Fajr prayers, noticed a fire near his home and tried to extinguish it.

“When he put out the fire he noticed a bag planted near my house. He turned doubtful and informed us. We became alert and passed the message to police,” Mr Ali said.

The bomb disposal squad defused the five-kilogram bomb safely.

“This is how a big disaster was averted with the grace of God,” the JUI-F leader said.