Five Pakistani soldiers were killed in two landmine explosions in country’s tribal area in North Wazirstan on Thursday.

Islamabad, May 29/Nationalturk –  At least five Pakistani soldiers were killed and equal number injured in two powerful landmine explosions in country’s tribal area in North Wazirstan on Thursday.

“Two Pakistani soldiers were killed in two landmine explosions near Nosher Qila in restive North Waziristan tribal agency,” Pakistan army spokesman said in a statement.

He said the mines were planted on the roadside and targeted the soldiers. “Two soldiers were killed and three others injured in the explosions. The injured have been hospitalised”.

Sources said the second blast took in tribal area in Bannu, when security vehicle stepped over a landmine planted by militants.

They said three soldiers were killed and two injured in the powerful explosion.

They said immediately after the landmine explosions, army men laid siege around the area to flush out the militants responsible for the attacks.

North Wazirstan is the hotbed of militancy and most of militant groups active in Pakistan are operating from the lawless tribal agency.

Powerful militant faction of Meshud tribe splits from TTP

The landmine explosions come a day after a powerful militant faction of Meshud tribe, part of notorious Pakistani militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), announced its split from TTP.

“We announce our defection from the TTP. We have chosen Khalid Mehsud alias Khan Said Sajna as our new leader for South Waziristan,” Azam Tariq, a spokesman for the breakaway group was quoted as saying by Pakistani newspapers.

Khalid Mehsud, who was earlier known by the name ‘Khan Said Sajna’, leads the Waliur Rehman Group of TTP and was a contender for the TTP’s leadership after its former chief Hakimullah Mehsud was killed in a US drone strike last November.

Sajna faction has been involved in bloody clashes with the Shehryar Mehsud-led Hakimullah group since April and even the Afghan Taliban’s mediation has failed to reconcile the belligerent groups.

Dozens of fighters killed in sporadic fighting

Dozens of fighters from both factions have been killed in sporadic fighting in nearly two months.

The differences between the Pakistani Taliban leadership emerged over the recent peace talks with the government.

Asked if the talks between the government and the TTP had caused a rift among them, Azam said they would prefer the peace talks with the government if seriousness and sincerity was shown.

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Asia News/ NationalTurk Pakistan News