Security
Bannu: Two people have lost their lives, while five others, including 3 soldiers, suffered injuries in separate bomb blasts in erstwhile Frontier Region (FR) Bannu and Bajaur tribal district. According to official sources, unidentified miscreants had planted a bomb with the wall of a shop situated on the roadside in Gorbaz area of erstwhile FR Bannu. The bomb exploded which killed one person and injured another.
In a separate incident, a student lost his life in a hand grenade attack in Bajaur. Local sources said unidentified miscreants hurled a hand grenade on the house of Haji Feroz Gul which killed the 16-year-old student. Another improvised explosive device went off near Mirali bazar when troops were patrolling the town, as a result, three soldiers were injured. TNN, Dawn
Bannu: Three people lost their lives and 1 got injuries in separate incidents in Khyber tribal district. The first incident happened in Tirah valley where one Israr alleged opened fire on Ayub Khan and Muhammad Aib, killing them on the spot. In second incident, unknown armed men opened fire on Badshah in Bara Bazaar. The accused escaped from the scene after committing the murder. It was apparently a target killing incident, the sources said. Another firing incident happened in Kohi area in Malikdinkhel where one Shakeel was injured. TNN
Socioeconomic
Islamabad: Pakistan is cautiously optimistic that the Taliban will soon agree to initiation of Intra-Afghan dialogue, which could pave the way for an eventual political settlement of the Afghan conflict that is in its 18th year. Dawn, The News
Peshawar: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan directed all government departments to undertake necessary steps to eradicate polio from the region. The News, Tribune, Dawn
Peshawar: Just a day the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued a show-cause notice to senior provincial minister for his visit to district Kurram, the ECP has issued another notice to Chief Minister for starting Insaf Rozgar loan scheme for tribal districts ahead of the election. TNN, The News
Peshawar: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has handed over the responsibility of security for the upcoming elections in tribal districts on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly seats to the Pakistan Army. TNN, Dawn