Army officer, 2 soldiers killed in Orakzai blast

A Pakistan Army captain and two soldiers were killed while another two were injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Upper Orakzai Agency, officials said on Monday.“The attack took place late last night when a security forces convoy was targeted in Arkhanjo Mamozai village in Upper Orakzai tribal region,” Frontier Corps media spokesman Major Fazl told a private TV channel.

Two other army personnel were also injured in the attack, the officials said.Security forces launched a search operation in the area after the incident.According to the officials, most of the region is now under the control of the administration and the last pockets of resistance, in Upper Orakzai along the border of Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency and the adjoining Kurram Agency, are being cleared of militants.

Meanwhile, at least 15 militants have been killed in a skirmish with security forces in the agency’s Manatoo area.