|
7 including 3 cops killed in NWFP attacks, blasts
 Seven people including three policemen were killed and several others injured in two suicide attacks, two blasts and a rocket attack in three tribal regions and Swat district in the NWFP on Thursday. Officials say the terrorism incidents may be in reaction to the military operation against the Lal Masjid militants. Tribal areas security chief Arbab Arif said that North Waziristan political agent Pirzada Khan escaped unhurt in a suicide attack at his office in Miranshah. However, two government employees were killed and another three including pro-Taliban cleric Maulvi Gul Rehman were injured in the attack. The attack on the political agent is the first of its kind since September last year when pro-Taliban militants signed a peace deal with the government. The agreement, however, appears to be failing following the security forces return to the checkposts abandoned after the agreement. Locals said that the security forces were taking positions at hilltops overlooking Miranshah bazaar and nearby villages, prompting a strong-worded warning from the militants who have set a July 15 deadline for withdrawal of security forces from all checkposts. The Taliban have, however, denied involvement in the suicide attack on the North Waziristan political agent. We are not involved in this attack and please do not malign us, Taliban spokesman Abdullah Farhad was quoted as saying to local reporters in Miranshah. In Swat, a suicide bomber killed three policemen Sub-Inspector Taj Maluk and constables Riaz and Islam Gul by detonating the explosives wrapped around his waist. The suicide attack came moments after a military convoy passed through the area, police officer Abdur Rashid Khan told Daily Times. It was a very powerful explosion which destroyed the bridge. The bomber(s) must have aimed for the army convoy, he said, adding that it was not clear how many bombers were riding in the Suzuki car used in the attack. Meanwhile, a roadside bomb exploded in the Hazara area of Swats Kabal tehsil, but no one was hurt in the incident. Another bomb exploded in Khyber Agency, damaging a building. The police have arrested the buildings watchman for investigation. Also, unidentified militants fired 17 rockets at the Scouts Fort near Khar bazaar in Bajaur Agency early on Thursday morning, wounding eight Levies personnel. The militants fled after the security forces returned fire. In another incident, militants hit a Khar Scouts vehicle by exploding a timed device planted on the roadside. No one was hurt. Meanwhile, three Taliban who were killed in the Lal Masjid operation were buried in their ancestral graveyard in the Nawagai area of Bajaur on Thursday. Posted by: Fred 2007-07-13 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=193316 |