KHAR: A soldier was killed and a civilian was injured in a blast in a far-flung area of Salarzai tehsil in the Bajaur tribal region on Friday morning.

Local administration officials and eyewitnesses told Dawn that the incident took place in the Chargo Gondai area, some 20km from the Khar agency headquarters.

They said FC personnel were fetching water from a nearby spring when an improvised explosive device placed along the way went off. They said the device was detonated by remote control.

The injured were rushed to the agency headquarters hospital. The soldier who suffered critical injuries died before receiving any treatment.

The injured civilian was identified as Azim Khan. He was passing through the area at the time of the blast.

Soon after the blast, local residents, members of a village defence committee and personnel of security forces reached the spot and launched a search operation. However, no arrest was reported.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2016