Taliban militants destroyed two government-run schools in the restive Bajaur tribal region of northwest Pakistan on Monday though there were no reports of casualties, officials said.
The militants destroyed a girls’ primary school and a boys' primary school with explosives. Both buildings were empty at the time of the attack, officials said. The Taliban have banned education for girls and targeted state-run schools across Pakistan's tribal belt.
The militants have destroyed nearly 500 schools in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province and the tribal agencies over the past three years. Tens of thousands of children have been left without access to education in these areas.
Over 100 schools have been destroyed in Bajaur Agency, 86 in Khyber Agency and 59 in Mohmand Agency. Taliban militants claim modern education is "un-Islamic" as it is not in line with Islamic scriptures.