KHAR, 26 June 2016: An improvised explosive device (IED) attack in a cloth market in the Kamar Sar area of Mamond tehsil of Bajaur Agency completely destroyed three shops, while partially damaged five others. Soon after the incident, senior government officials and personnel of Bajaur Levies force reached the spot, but the terrorists managed to escape under the cover of darkness. However, another bomb planted in the vicinity was diffused by the law enforcement agencies. According to the traders, the terrorist attack caused at damage worth Rs. 17 million (US $170,000) to them.
While no group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Jamaatul Ahrar are active in the region. Mamond has been the most restive area in the Agency since the start of pro-Taliban militancy in 2006. Most of the Taliban leaders from Bajaur Agency like Maulana Faqir Muhammad, Mullah Dadullah etc., belonged to the Mamond tehsil. The Tehsil is contiguous with the Afghan border province of Kunar, which is a semi-sanctuary of the Pakistani Taliban.
