Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Militants blow up 2 schools in Pakistan

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Oct 24, IRNA -- Suspected militants blew up two government schools in a Pakistani tribal region bordering Afghanistan in their campaign against the education system, officials said Sunday.

Militants in their fight against the government and educational institutions dynamited two schools in Bajaur tribal region in the night between Saturday and Sunday.

No one was hurt as the schools were closed at the time of the attack.

Both boys schools were located near Khar, the center of Bajaur agency, the former stronghold of Taliban militants.

The security forces conducted search operation in the area on Sunday but no one was arrested.

Bajaur, one of the 7th tribal regions of Pakistan, is bordering Afghanistan Kunar province and Pakistani security officials say that militants from Afghanistan also cross into the area.

Pakistani security forces had launched a major offensive against the Taliban militants in Bajaur in 2008 and eliminated and expelled a large number of fighters including Arabs and Afghans.

Official data suggest that militants have destroyed some 100 girls and boys schools in Bajaur region, depriving thousands of children of education.

On Saturday, the militants also blew up a boys degree college in Khyber triban region and damaged parts of the college.