GHALANAI/LANDI KOTAL, Aug 9: A security man was killed when an improvised explosive device went off in Sandokhel area of Safi tehsil in Mohmand tribal region on Thursday.

Sources said that the explosive device, planted by unidentified persons along Peshawar-Bajaur Highway, went off with a big bang and killed an official of Khasadar Force.

The deceased khasadar was identified as Gul Amin, a resident of Qandahari area. Security forces launched a search operation in the area after the blast. However, no arrest was made during the operation.

Taliban spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsan called local journalists from an undisclosed location and claimed responsibility for the blast.

In Khyber Agency, security forces closed Sam Ghakhi-Shahkas Road in Bara for an indefinite period, causing hardships for local tribal people. Sources said that announcements were made through loudspeakers regarding closure of the road and all marketsin Bar Qambarkhel area for an unspecified period.

The closure of the road will affect movement of Kamarkhel, Qambarkhel, Malikdinkhel and Shalobar tribesmen. The road links most parts of Bara with the main bazaar and Peshawar district.

The residents of the area told Dawn that closure of road had caused great inconvenience to them in the month of Ramazan. The closure of road not only restricted their movement but could also create shortage of food and other necessary items, they added.

However, Assistant Political Agent Mohammad Nasir said that some suspected militants wanted by security forces were hiding in the area and there were also reports about smuggling of illegal goods through the same route.

“The security forces had warned elders of the area about smuggling of illegal goods and voluntary handing over of suspected militants,” he said and added that alongside closure of the road and markets, some suspects were also taken into custody.