Top officer among five killed in Bajaur roadside bombing

A roadside bomb struck a vehicle carrying a government administrator in Bajaur district, killing at least five officers and wounding 11 others, police said on Wednesday.

- 

Bajaur District Police Officer Waqas Rafique said five people were killed in the explosion targeting a government vehicle on Nawagai Road in Siddiqabad railway attack area of Khar tehsil. Two policemen and a civilian are among the dead, he said.

"The blast was so intense that the vehicle targeted was completely destroyed," he said, adding that 11 people were injured in the blast and were immediately transported to Khar Hospital.

The DPO said that security had been increased in the area and relief activities were underway.

The deceased include Nawagai Assistant Commissioner Faisal Ismail, Tehsildar Abdul Wakil, subedar Noor Hakim, and police constable Rashid.

The blast occurred while the officials were travelling through the area. Law enforcement officials said the nature of the blast is being investigated, but initial reports suggest it was an improvised explosive device (IED) planted to target the government vehicle.

KP Health Adviser Ihtisham Ali strongly condemned the blast and expressed grief over the demise of the assistant commissioner and others in the incident. He contacted the district health officer and the medical superintendent of the DHQ hospital in Bajaur and enquired after the well-being of the people injured in the attack.