Islamabad: The Pakistani Taliban have claimed responsibility for a bomb blast in the restive Bajaur tribal region that killed six men, including tribal elders who were part of a pro-government militia.
The blast occurred during a meeting of tribal elders in Mamond sub-district yesterday. The bomb was triggered by remote control. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed responsibility for the attack in phone calls to journalists in northwest Pakistan.
He said the elders were targeted because they had formed an anti-Taliban militia. Scores of pro-government elders and tribesmen have been killed in bombings and suicide attacks across northwest Pakistan over the past four years.
PTI