ISLAMABAD, Sept 22 (KUNA) -- At least three militant commanders including a spokesperson of banned outfit Lashkar i Islam (LI) were killed when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) they were making exploded in Khyber Agency tribal area of northern Pakistan bordering Afghanistan on Sunday, said officials.
According to security officials, LI Commander Spokesperson Younas Khan, alias Abu Rasheed Lashkari, along with Commander Ghufran and Abu Darda of Tariq group of banned Tehrek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) who were supported by the LI have been killed in the explosion in LI Headquarters in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency.
The LI is supporting Tariq Gedar group of Bara area that attacks civilian and military convoys on Kohat road and in Peshawar City. The Levies officials have confirmed the incident and said the office of the LI was badly damaged.
The Khyber Agency is one of the seven regions of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan, governed by tribal laws. The militant insurgency in the area has claimed lives of many civilians and military men over the past few years.
Earlier this month, at least three military officials including two senior officers were killed when a roadside bomb targeted their vehicle in Upper Dir Pakistani tribal region. Major General Sanaullah, Lieutenant Colonel Tauseef, and Lance Nayak Irfan Sattar of Pakistan Army were killed in Upper Dir area when an IED went off near the Pak-Afghan border. (end) sbk.wsa KUNA 221044 Sep 13NNNN