Six martyred, eight injured in North Waziristan blast

MIRANSHAH: Six civilians were martyred and eight people, including three security personnel, sustained injuries in an explosion triggered by a remote controlled device in the Mir Ali tehsil of North Waziristan Agency on Tuesday, official sources said.
They said the militants had parked an explosive-laden bike on the roadside in Khadi area of Mir Ali apparently to target a convoy of security forces. The sources said an explosion occurred when the convoy of security forces was passing through the area. They said six persons were martyred on the spot while eight others, three soldiers among them, were wounded in the incident.
The injured were shifted to the Agency Headquarters Hospital in Miranshah, the administrative headquarters of North Waziristan. A heavy contingent of security personnel reached the blast site soon after the incident, cordoned off the area and launched a search operation. However, there were no reports if any suspects were apprehended.
Khadi village is sited on the main Mir Ali-Miranshah Road and its displaced inhabitants returned home last year. It was felt this area has now become peaceful and its new market, built by the army, had become a hub of commercial activity.