Bara missile attack kills seven

At least seven people were killed and nine others injured in a missile attack on the headquarters of a banned outfit in Tehsil Bara of Khyber Agency, where an operation against what the security forces called 'offensive against miscreants' was under way.
Haji Namdar, chief of the banned outfit said it was a US missile attack while eyewitnesses said that before the explosion occurred at 4am they heard the sounds of planes and lights and finally a huge blast. Seven bodies have been recovered from the HQ so far and more bodies are feared to be still under the debris. However, it was not clear that either it was a missile attack or a bomb blast. The chief of the banned organisation remained unhurt in the blast.
Security forces have halted the operation in Bara, Khyber Agency since last night and no fresh offensive has been launched in the area. Police on Monday claimed securing Peshawar city. "We had established 30 plus entry points for the posh Hayatabad Township where 8 to 10 police mobiles have been put on alert," Dr Mohammad Sulman, top police official of the metropolis said. He said that the forces have identified pockets of the anti-social elements and outlaws in different areas adjacent to Khyber Agency.
Meanwhile, Qazi Hussein Ahmad said that Peshawar has no threat from the Taliban, adding that the growing concern is uncalled for. Criticising the so-called US war on terror, he said the United States through a plan seeking excuse to make intervention in Fata, NWFP and Balochistan. He said the US is an enemy and not a friend and is deadly against the nuclear assets of Pakistan.
Qazi said the government of Pakistan is providing opportunity to the US for interference in the country's affairs. Senior Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour while speaking in the provincial assembly refuted the rumours of deadlock in Swat peace deal saying that the agreement is being honoured by both sides while there was also closed contacts.
He said the provincial government was still pursuing the policy of maintaining peace through dialogue, while there was complete harmony and writ of the government all over the province and no hurdle would be tolerated in this regard.
Regarding operation in Bara or other parts of Khyber Agency, he said the provincial government would prefer negotiations for ensuring peace in settled areas. He said the lawmakers and the general public should not be afraid of anything in this regard.