SOUTH WAZIRISTAN(National Times)- A commission agent was killed and a woman was injured when an armed man opened fire inside a Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) centre in Azam Warsak Bazaar in Birmal tehsil here on Wednesday, police said.

According to police, the gunman entered the BISP centre and opened fire on commission agent Khaliq Noor Wazir. He sustained bullet wounds, while a woman, who had come to the centre to receive her payment, was also injured in the firing.

The injured were rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital, Wana. Later, police said that Mr Wazir was taken to a hospital in Dera Ismail Khan due to his critical condition; however, he succumbed to his injuries on the way.

Rescue 1122 Lower South Waziristan in-charge Sabil Wazir confirmed the death of Mr Wazir.

Police said a preliminary report of the incident was recorded in the daily register at Azam Warsak police station and an investigation had been launched to determine the motive behind the attack and trace the attacker.

The incident has added to concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Birmal, where several incidents of violence have been reported over the past one and a half years.

According to local sources, different areas of the tehsil have witnessed bomb blasts, targeted killings, kidnappings for ransom and extortion, besides attacks on police and security forces.

Residents repeatedly expressed concern over the worsening law and order and its impact on their lives and economic activities.