Bomb kills 6 in northwest Pakistan

KHAR, Pakistan – A roadside bomb killed a local government official and five policemen on Sunday, September 17, in Pakistan’s restive northwestern tribal area bordering Afghanistan, officials said.

The blast took place in the town of Mamoond, some 25 kilometres (15 miles) from Khar, the main town of Bajaur, one of the country’s 7 semi-autonomous tribal districts, where the army has been battling Taliban militants.

“A local government officer and 5 tribal police were killed when an improvised explosive device planted on a roadside exploded when their vehicle passed,” senior local government official Anwarul Haq told Agence France-Presse.

Local security officials confirmed the attack and casualties.

Pakistani militant umbrella group Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) claimed responsibility for the explosion.

“Our mission is to eliminate the black infidel democratic system in Pakistan and impose Islamic justice system. We will trample every hurdle in the way of our mission,” spokesman Mohammad Khurasani said in a message sent to reporters.

Violence in Pakistan has declined in recent years following a series of military offensives against insurgents along the northwestern border.

But militant groups are still able to carry out bloody attacks, particularly in the northwest. – Rappler.com