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At least five killed in roadside bombing in former Pakistan Taliban stronghold

Pakistani Taliban patrol in then their stronghold of Shawal in the tribal region of South Waziristan, 5 August, 2012
Pakistani Taliban patrol in then their stronghold of Shawal in the tribal region of South Waziristan, 5 August, 2012 Copyright  AP Photo
Copyright AP Photo
By Gavin Blackburn with AP
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The Pakistan Taliban, known officially as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, often targets security forces and civilians in the north and elsewhere in the country.

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At least five people have been killed and 11 others injured after a roadside bomb exploded and struck a vehicle carrying a government administrator in a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban.

The bombing happened on Wednesday in Bajaur, a district in north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Among the dead was Assistant Commissioner Faisal Sultan, according to the district police chief.

Waqas Rafique said the injured were transported to hospital, where several were listed in critical condition.

No group or individual has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Rafique said the blame is likely to fall on the Pakistan Taliban.

The group, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) often targets security forces and civilians in the region and elsewhere in the country.

TTP is a close ally of the Afghan Taliban, who seized power in neighbouring Afghanistan in 2021 as US and NATO troops were in the final stages of withdrawing from the country after 20 years of war.

Many TTP leaders and fighters have found sanctuary in Afghanistan and have even been living there openly since the Taliban takeover, which has also emboldened the TTP.

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