Local Pakistani Band Attacked In Northwest Frontier Province

PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- An amateur Pakistani singer and his band were attacked in the Northwest Frontier Province by gunmen who severely injured five musicians.

Sardar Yousofzai, 34, told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan that while driving back from a performance on December 15, unknown people stopped the band's vehicle and began shooting at them.

Yousofzai said he has been living a tense life since the militancy increased in Pakistan's tribal agency region.

Although he escaped the attack unharmed, Yousofzai said five members of his group sustained severe injuries.

The Pakistani military has stepped up it operations in the tribal areas as it battles Al-Qaeda and Taliban-linked insurgents.

The fighting has left thousands dead and caused hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.