KHYBER AGENCY - - A deadly suicide blast at a centre of banned outfit Lashkar-e-Islam in Tirah Valley killed 13 people and injured 10 others.

The blast took place in the Akkakhel area of Bara in Khyber Agency. According to spokesperson of LI Abu Rashid Lashkari, the bomber was heading towards Dars Mosque where the Friday congregation was being offered. He was intercepted by the LI men who asked him to stop. The LI men opened fire and killed him on the spot. However, the explosive material wrapped around his body detonated with a big bang, killing 11 LI extremists and two pedestrians on the spot.
However, official sources confirmed five casualties and seven wounded at the LI centre. Meanwhile, Tehreek-e-Taliban’s Tariq Group has claimed responsibility for the blast. Its spokesman Muhammad in phone call claimed that 25 fighters of the LI had been killed in the attack.  The LI centre was run by Yar Wali Khan, nephew of LI head Mangal Bagh. The fate of Yar Wali Khan was still unclear till last reports.
The blast ripped through Dars-cum-Madrassa of Lashkar-e-Islam in Bara tehsil.
The identity of the suicide bomber is not known so far.
There have been a series of conflicts between Taliban and Lashkar-e-Islam in the tribal areas in struggle for influence in these areas.
Last month dozens of Lashkar-e-Islam fighters were killed in a suicide blast that took place in front of a mosque after Friday prayer in the neighbouring tribal area of Kurram Agency.
The attack came exactly three weeks after a similar suicide attack at another Lashkar-e-Islam mosque in Tirah killed 22 people and wounded another 20 after Friday prayers.
A spokesman for Lashkar-e-Islam, which is linked to militants and criminal gangs, blamed Taliban faction for the attack.