Eight militants killed in Pakistan; Boys’ school blown up

Four militants were killed in a gun battle with security forces in Charbagh area of Swat valley,the army-run media centre said. The militants were involved in several clashes with troops and the killing of local residents. Weapons and communication equipment were recovered from the site of the skirmish.

A member of a pro-government “peace committee” and three militants were killed in a clash in Baizai area of Mohmand tribal region,officials were quoted as saying by TV news channels.

Two members of the peace committee were injured in the gun battle that was sparked by an attack by the militants. Unidentified militants also gunned down tribal leader Malik Abdul Qayyum,who was a member of a peace committee,in Bajaur tribal region.

Security forces killed a militant while conducting a search and clearance operation in Shakai sector of Waziristan. Two soldiers were injured when an improvised explosive device went off while troops were conducting a search operation in Jandola sector of Waziristan. Security forces also defused two more IEDs,the military said.

A soldier was injured when militants attacked security forces at Trikali Kubrai in Shakai sector. Security forces also apprehended two suspects and recovered arms and ammunitions during search and clearance operations at several places in Swat.

In Landi Kotal sub-division of Khyber,militants blew up a government-run boys’ primary school early this morning. The school was razed by two powerful bombs that went off almost simultaneously though there were no casualties.

Local officials blamed the attack on the banned Lashkar-e-Islam militant group. Militants have destroyed over 15 state-run schools in Khyber Agency in recent weeks.

Tribesmen said authorities have not put in place adequate security measures to stop attacks on schools in the region. Militants in Khyber Agency regularly attack trucks and tankers ferrying supplies to US-led forces in Afghanistan.