One killed, four injured in North Waziristan IED blast

PESHAWAR: At least a person killed and four others injured when an ‘old’ Improvised Explosive Device (IED) buried underground, went off on early Tuesday in the Darpa Khel area of North Waziristan tribal region, political administration told media.

According to officials, the explosion took place at a time when the repatriation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) was underway.

The blast occurred in a ground near Al Khalid Public School in the area. The deceased and all injured were local tribesmen, sources said.

The local tribesmen returning to their homes in the region after being displaced for a time period spanning three years in the wake of counter-terrorism Operation Zarb-e-Azb, which was initiated back in 2014.

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The repatriation and clearance operation in the agency have been a challenge for the authorities concerned.

However, the major portion of North Waziristan has been cleared recently.

The political administration of the agency further told the media that around 2,296 families of the Darpa Khel area are expected to be repatriated safely by September 19.

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Last month, two personnel of Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom in a landmine blast near Angor Adda in South Waziristan.