Islamabad, July 13: At least 16 people, including several children, died and 120 others were injured today in a powerful explosion in a madrassa being used to make bombs as six Taliban militants were killed in a skirmish with security forces in Pakistan”s South Waziristan tribal region. As the Army prepares to launch a major assault against Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud and his network in South Waziristan, troops captured four militants in continuing search and clearance operations in the northwestern Swat valley.
A group of militants attacked a check post manned by security forces along the Wana-Tank road in South Waziristan Agency this morning, triggering a gun battle. The security forces, while retaliating against the attack, encircled the militants and killed six of them.
Ten militants were injured during the exchange of fire and two of them were later arrested by the security forces, the local political agent said. The attackers escaped, leaving behind the bodies of six militants, he added.
The madrassa blast in a village near Mian Channu in southern Punjab killed at least 16 people, including several children, and injured 120 others shortly before 10 am local time. The explosives were stored in the home of madrassa teacher Riaz Ali, local residents said.
Ali was a member of a banned religious group, officials said. Police and rescue service officials told reporters that 16 people, including several children, were killed in the blast, which also destroyed dozens of houses.
—–PTI—