Blast kills 5 pro-state militiamen in NW Pakistan

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - At least five members of a pro-government militia were killed in a remote-control blast in northwestern Pakistan on Monday, officials and local media reported.

The blast occurred in the far-flung Tirah valley of Khyber Agency that sits on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The remotely-detonated bomb struck a vehicle carrying members of the militia, Express TV reported, quoting security officials.

Tirah valley is one of the last bastions of Taliban militants who otherwise have been on the run in an ongoing military onslaught which has been taking place since 2014.

Over 4,500 suspected militants and more than 700 soldiers have been killed in air strikes, land mine blasts and clashes in the ongoing operation.

However, there is no verification of the government claims as independent media are not allowed to visit the areas where fighting is taking place.