posted in dawn
Ten people, three women and four children among them, were killed when military planes bombed a house in Feroze Khel area in lower Orakzai Agency on Friday.
Officials said the house of tribal elder Zikria Khan was razed to the ground and four members of his family were killed.
Tribesmen pulled out the bodies from the debris of the house.
Two other houses that were empty were also destroyed.
Officials said that except the women and children most other people who died in the attack were militants.
Independent sources said Zikria Khan and his family had nothing to do with militants and all the victims were civilians.
The officials said that members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban who had escaped from Waziristan were living in the house, adding that the headquarters of Hakimullah Mehsud was earlier located in the area.
MASTERMIND HELD: Security forces arrested an explosives expert from Doaba area in Hangu district on Friday.
The militant was identified as Khan Qasim.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Karak dwellers to get gas, assures minister
posted in news
Provincial Minister for Prisons Mian Nisar Gul Friday said the NWFP government had deposited Rs160 million for 111-kilometre gas pipeline to Banda Daud Shah tehsil.
Addressing a meeting of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) officials at the Circuit House in Karak town, the minister said the provincial government had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of NWFP Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain to resolve dispute over provision of natural gas in Karak. He said the committee would hold meeting in Peshawar on December 23 to discuss the complaints of the landowners of the Noshapa area.
Mian Nisar Gul warned the OGDCL officials not to force the residents to take up arms for their rights and said the work on the Noshapa oil and gas reserves would not resume till the December 23 meeting and resolution of the issue.
The provincial minister said the exploration of oil and gas in Banda Daud Shah tehsil and Noshapa had adversely affected the environment and according to a survey the abortion cases and death ratio of women in delivery cases were on the rise. He said the wildlife had also been affected.
OGDCL Regional Coordinator Mushaffaq Paracha told the meeting that efforts would be made for the uplift of the area and the projects would be approved after consulting the elected representatives.
Provincial Minister for Prisons Mian Nisar Gul Friday said the NWFP government had deposited Rs160 million for 111-kilometre gas pipeline to Banda Daud Shah tehsil.
Addressing a meeting of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) officials at the Circuit House in Karak town, the minister said the provincial government had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of NWFP Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain to resolve dispute over provision of natural gas in Karak. He said the committee would hold meeting in Peshawar on December 23 to discuss the complaints of the landowners of the Noshapa area.
Mian Nisar Gul warned the OGDCL officials not to force the residents to take up arms for their rights and said the work on the Noshapa oil and gas reserves would not resume till the December 23 meeting and resolution of the issue.
The provincial minister said the exploration of oil and gas in Banda Daud Shah tehsil and Noshapa had adversely affected the environment and according to a survey the abortion cases and death ratio of women in delivery cases were on the rise. He said the wildlife had also been affected.
OGDCL Regional Coordinator Mushaffaq Paracha told the meeting that efforts would be made for the uplift of the area and the projects would be approved after consulting the elected representatives.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Ulema assure authorities of cooperation
POSTED IN NEWS
Ulema from various schools of religious thought Thursday assured the district administration and police of their support in peaceful observance of Muharramul Haram.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Kohat Region Abdullah Khan urged the leaders of Shia and Sunni schools of religious thoughts to display solidarity and brotherhood to thwart the sinister designs of enemies who were out to create rift between the two sects.
The police officer stated this during separate meetings with the leaders of the two sects held at Police Lines in Kohat. Although, he claimed, the district administration had made foolproof security arrangements for the month, still the leaders and religious scholars should play their role in maintaining peace during Muharram and avoiding any untoward incident.
Among others, District Police Officer Kohat Dilawar Khan Bangash, District Naib Nazim Arif Muhammad, Deputy Superintendent of Police City Abdul Qayyum, Chairman Sunni Supreme Council Javed Ibrahim Paracha, Ali Shah and Abdul Saboor attended the meetings.
Ulema from various schools of religious thought Thursday assured the district administration and police of their support in peaceful observance of Muharramul Haram.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Kohat Region Abdullah Khan urged the leaders of Shia and Sunni schools of religious thoughts to display solidarity and brotherhood to thwart the sinister designs of enemies who were out to create rift between the two sects.
The police officer stated this during separate meetings with the leaders of the two sects held at Police Lines in Kohat. Although, he claimed, the district administration had made foolproof security arrangements for the month, still the leaders and religious scholars should play their role in maintaining peace during Muharram and avoiding any untoward incident.
Among others, District Police Officer Kohat Dilawar Khan Bangash, District Naib Nazim Arif Muhammad, Deputy Superintendent of Police City Abdul Qayyum, Chairman Sunni Supreme Council Javed Ibrahim Paracha, Ali Shah and Abdul Saboor attended the meetings.
Ulema assure authorities of cooperation
POSTED IN NEWS
Ulema from various schools of religious thought Thursday assured the district administration and police of their support in peaceful observance of Muharramul Haram.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Kohat Region Abdullah Khan urged the leaders of Shia and Sunni schools of religious thoughts to display solidarity and brotherhood to thwart the sinister designs of enemies who were out to create rift between the two sects.
The police officer stated this during separate meetings with the leaders of the two sects held at Police Lines in Kohat. Although, he claimed, the district administration had made foolproof security arrangements for the month, still the leaders and religious scholars should play their role in maintaining peace during Muharram and avoiding any untoward incident.
Among others, District Police Officer Kohat Dilawar Khan Bangash, District Naib Nazim Arif Muhammad, Deputy Superintendent of Police City Abdul Qayyum, Chairman Sunni Supreme Council Javed Ibrahim Paracha, Ali Shah and Abdul Saboor attended the meetings.
Ulema from various schools of religious thought Thursday assured the district administration and police of their support in peaceful observance of Muharramul Haram.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Kohat Region Abdullah Khan urged the leaders of Shia and Sunni schools of religious thoughts to display solidarity and brotherhood to thwart the sinister designs of enemies who were out to create rift between the two sects.
The police officer stated this during separate meetings with the leaders of the two sects held at Police Lines in Kohat. Although, he claimed, the district administration had made foolproof security arrangements for the month, still the leaders and religious scholars should play their role in maintaining peace during Muharram and avoiding any untoward incident.
Among others, District Police Officer Kohat Dilawar Khan Bangash, District Naib Nazim Arif Muhammad, Deputy Superintendent of Police City Abdul Qayyum, Chairman Sunni Supreme Council Javed Ibrahim Paracha, Ali Shah and Abdul Saboor attended the meetings.
Commander among 17 militants die in Orakzai
POSTED IN DAWN
Seventeen militants, a local ‘commander’ among them, were killed and four compounds and three tunnels were destroyed as helicopter gunships pounded terrorists’ hideouts in Dabori area of Orakzai Agency on Thursday.
The ‘commander’ was identified as Ajmer, officials said, adding that 21 militants were also injured in attacks.
Two militants were also killed and an ammunition depot was put on fire by a tribal lashkar in separate incidents.
Two tribesmen, including a malik, were injured in an exchange of fire with militants in the Stori Khel area.
Seventeen militants, a local ‘commander’ among them, were killed and four compounds and three tunnels were destroyed as helicopter gunships pounded terrorists’ hideouts in Dabori area of Orakzai Agency on Thursday.
The ‘commander’ was identified as Ajmer, officials said, adding that 21 militants were also injured in attacks.
Two militants were also killed and an ammunition depot was put on fire by a tribal lashkar in separate incidents.
Two tribesmen, including a malik, were injured in an exchange of fire with militants in the Stori Khel area.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tribesmen shoot dead Taliban stuntmen
posted in dawn
Angry tribesmen shot dead four militants for causing disturbance by performing stunts on their motorcycles in Stori Khel area of Orakzai Agency, locals said.
The young militants belonged to Tariq Afridi group of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan. The group has significant influence in the entire Orakzai Agency.
Sources said that militants were busy in performing stunts and motorcycle race when tribesmen asked them to leave the area because they were violating the tribal code besides causing disturbance.
The militants instead of paying heed to elders’ bidding started more noise and used abusive language against them. The angry tribesmen pulled out their Kalashnikovs and killed all the four militants on the spot on Monday afternoon.
Eyewitnesses said that bodies of the killed militants and their motorcycles were lying there and Taliban had not taken any action against the tribesmen.
Angry tribesmen shot dead four militants for causing disturbance by performing stunts on their motorcycles in Stori Khel area of Orakzai Agency, locals said.
The young militants belonged to Tariq Afridi group of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan. The group has significant influence in the entire Orakzai Agency.
Sources said that militants were busy in performing stunts and motorcycle race when tribesmen asked them to leave the area because they were violating the tribal code besides causing disturbance.
The militants instead of paying heed to elders’ bidding started more noise and used abusive language against them. The angry tribesmen pulled out their Kalashnikovs and killed all the four militants on the spot on Monday afternoon.
Eyewitnesses said that bodies of the killed militants and their motorcycles were lying there and Taliban had not taken any action against the tribesmen.
20 killed in Orakzai air strikes
posted in dawn
Twenty militants were killed and six others injured in air strikes in lower Orakzai Agency on Tuesday evening.
Three camps and four vehicles of the militants were destroyed.
Official sources said that military aircraft and helicopter gunships pounded Taliban hideouts in Sultanzai and Stori Khel.
Unconfirmed reports said the aircraft and helicopters had also attacked a TTP jirga in Sultanzai.
Twenty militants were killed and six others injured in air strikes in lower Orakzai Agency on Tuesday evening.
Three camps and four vehicles of the militants were destroyed.
Official sources said that military aircraft and helicopter gunships pounded Taliban hideouts in Sultanzai and Stori Khel.
Unconfirmed reports said the aircraft and helicopters had also attacked a TTP jirga in Sultanzai.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tribesmen banned from entering Kohat
posted in dawn
The district administration, on instructions of the provincial government, on Monday banned the entry of tribesmen in Kohat with immediate effect in a move to maintain law and order.
Official sources said that as the district faced the threat of terrorist attacks during Muharram, the administration had been asked to close all routes from the adjoining tribal areas and deploy additional force there.
The displaced people coming here in thousands from the Orakzai Agency where a military operation is in progress have been asked to stay in the two relief camps established in Mohammad Khawaja and Dalan areas of the Hangu district.
The Hangu administration has established several points for registration of the tribesmen from Orakzai Agency.
The district administration, on instructions of the provincial government, on Monday banned the entry of tribesmen in Kohat with immediate effect in a move to maintain law and order.
Official sources said that as the district faced the threat of terrorist attacks during Muharram, the administration had been asked to close all routes from the adjoining tribal areas and deploy additional force there.
The displaced people coming here in thousands from the Orakzai Agency where a military operation is in progress have been asked to stay in the two relief camps established in Mohammad Khawaja and Dalan areas of the Hangu district.
The Hangu administration has established several points for registration of the tribesmen from Orakzai Agency.
Monday, December 7, 2009
14 hurt in road accidents
posted in news
At least 14 passengers including four women were injured in two separate road accidents in the district here Sunday.Sources said a Rawalpindi-bound coach overturned after colliding with railway crossing post near Ghulam Banda on Kohat-Rawalpindi Road, leaving six persons including two women injured.The injured were rushed to a nearby local hospital for treatment. In another incident, a Bannu-bound car hit a pickup coming from opposite direction on Indus Highway. As a result, eight passengers including two women were injured. The injured were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Kohat. Thier condition is said to be stable.
At least 14 passengers including four women were injured in two separate road accidents in the district here Sunday.Sources said a Rawalpindi-bound coach overturned after colliding with railway crossing post near Ghulam Banda on Kohat-Rawalpindi Road, leaving six persons including two women injured.The injured were rushed to a nearby local hospital for treatment. In another incident, a Bannu-bound car hit a pickup coming from opposite direction on Indus Highway. As a result, eight passengers including two women were injured. The injured were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Kohat. Thier condition is said to be stable.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Action against criminals in Karak from today
posted in news
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Kohat range, Abdullah Khan Thursday said the police would launch an operation against anti-social elements in Takht-e-Nusrati tehsil from today (Friday).
Addressing an open ‘katchery’ at Takht-e-Nusrati Police Station, he said that reconciliation committees, comprising non-political people, would be formed at police station level to resolve various public issues. He asked the area elders, who were present on the occasion, to keep an eye on activities of prayer leaders, especially those hailing from Afghanistan.
Abdullah announced provision of two armoured personnel carriers and two other vehicles for Karak police, saying that the provincial government had approved creation of 5,000 vacancies in the Police Department and Karak district would be given enough share in the vacancies to resolve the problem of police shortage. He added that more police checkpoints would be set up in the district
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Kohat range, Abdullah Khan Thursday said the police would launch an operation against anti-social elements in Takht-e-Nusrati tehsil from today (Friday).
Addressing an open ‘katchery’ at Takht-e-Nusrati Police Station, he said that reconciliation committees, comprising non-political people, would be formed at police station level to resolve various public issues. He asked the area elders, who were present on the occasion, to keep an eye on activities of prayer leaders, especially those hailing from Afghanistan.
Abdullah announced provision of two armoured personnel carriers and two other vehicles for Karak police, saying that the provincial government had approved creation of 5,000 vacancies in the Police Department and Karak district would be given enough share in the vacancies to resolve the problem of police shortage. He added that more police checkpoints would be set up in the district
VC kidnapping case: Too hot for civilians to handle
posted in dawn
Authorities have handed over the case of kidnapping of the vice-chancellor of the Kohat University of Science and Technology to the military due to its sensitive nature, sources said.
The military has blamed Taliban commander Tariq Afridi for kidnapping vice-chancellor Dr Lutfullah Kakakhel.
According to the military authorities controlling Darra Adamkhel from where the vice-chancellor was kidnapped, the victim was first taken to Matani and then shifted to the Ghiljo area in upper Orakzai Agency.
“We are not 100 per cent sure as yet about his whereabouts, but are investigating the case from all angles to ascertain the real cause behind the kidnapping of the VC, whose director administration and driver were not taken away by the armed men. If the purpose of kidnapping was to put pressure on the government for release of the arrested militants or ransom, the director, who was accompanying the VC at the time of the incident, would also have been kidnapped. But surprisingly, only the VC was taken away along with the official vehicle,” military sources said.
Police sources, however, claim the vice-chancellor is in the custody of a criminal gang belonging to the Matani area of Peshawar. They, too, are surprised why only the vice-chancellor was kidnapped.
So far, the vice-chancellor’s family or law-enforcement agencies have not been contacted by the kidnappers.
The vice-chancellor was kidnapped on Nov 6 from the Akhorwal area of Darra Adamkhel while he was going to Peshawar from Kohat.
Meanwhile, teachers and students of the Kohat University of Science and Technology on Thursday called upon the government to expedite efforts for safe recovery of the vice-chancellor, APP reports.
Speaking at a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, they warned of launching a province-wide movement if the vice-chancellor was not safely recovered.
Authorities have handed over the case of kidnapping of the vice-chancellor of the Kohat University of Science and Technology to the military due to its sensitive nature, sources said.
The military has blamed Taliban commander Tariq Afridi for kidnapping vice-chancellor Dr Lutfullah Kakakhel.
According to the military authorities controlling Darra Adamkhel from where the vice-chancellor was kidnapped, the victim was first taken to Matani and then shifted to the Ghiljo area in upper Orakzai Agency.
“We are not 100 per cent sure as yet about his whereabouts, but are investigating the case from all angles to ascertain the real cause behind the kidnapping of the VC, whose director administration and driver were not taken away by the armed men. If the purpose of kidnapping was to put pressure on the government for release of the arrested militants or ransom, the director, who was accompanying the VC at the time of the incident, would also have been kidnapped. But surprisingly, only the VC was taken away along with the official vehicle,” military sources said.
Police sources, however, claim the vice-chancellor is in the custody of a criminal gang belonging to the Matani area of Peshawar. They, too, are surprised why only the vice-chancellor was kidnapped.
So far, the vice-chancellor’s family or law-enforcement agencies have not been contacted by the kidnappers.
The vice-chancellor was kidnapped on Nov 6 from the Akhorwal area of Darra Adamkhel while he was going to Peshawar from Kohat.
Meanwhile, teachers and students of the Kohat University of Science and Technology on Thursday called upon the government to expedite efforts for safe recovery of the vice-chancellor, APP reports.
Speaking at a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, they warned of launching a province-wide movement if the vice-chancellor was not safely recovered.
Fake NIC printer arrested from Darra Adamkhel
posted in dawn
The political administration of Frontier Region of Kohat on Thursday arrested a tribesman involved in printing of fake computerised national identity cards for militants from Darra Adamkhel.
DCO Kifayatullah Khan, who is also political agent of FR Kohat, told Dawn that acting on a tip-off the assistant political agent raided a shop in the Darra Adamkhel bazaar and arrested Manzoor, son of Tor Gul, along with machines used in making fake identity cards.
According to him, the accused helped militants by providing them with fake CNICs so they could freely travel in the country and carry out terrorist activities.
The political administration of Frontier Region of Kohat on Thursday arrested a tribesman involved in printing of fake computerised national identity cards for militants from Darra Adamkhel.
DCO Kifayatullah Khan, who is also political agent of FR Kohat, told Dawn that acting on a tip-off the assistant political agent raided a shop in the Darra Adamkhel bazaar and arrested Manzoor, son of Tor Gul, along with machines used in making fake identity cards.
According to him, the accused helped militants by providing them with fake CNICs so they could freely travel in the country and carry out terrorist activities.
Two militants killed in Hangu
posted in dawn
Two militants were killed in an exchange of fire with police in the Bezoo Kot area of Thall tehsil, Hangu district, on Thursday.
Police constable Khurshid Alam was also injured in the shootout following a raid on a house in the area.
The bodies of killed militants, Amjid and Yar Khan, were taken to a local hospital.
Meanwhile, the Kohat police arrested four militants and 21 criminals during a search operation on Thursday. They also seized four Kalashnikovs, three repeaters, five shotguns, four rifles and seven pistols.
The arrested persons were handed over to a special investigation team
Two militants were killed in an exchange of fire with police in the Bezoo Kot area of Thall tehsil, Hangu district, on Thursday.
Police constable Khurshid Alam was also injured in the shootout following a raid on a house in the area.
The bodies of killed militants, Amjid and Yar Khan, were taken to a local hospital.
Meanwhile, the Kohat police arrested four militants and 21 criminals during a search operation on Thursday. They also seized four Kalashnikovs, three repeaters, five shotguns, four rifles and seven pistols.
The arrested persons were handed over to a special investigation team
Monday, November 16, 2009
Taliban position bombed in Orakzai Agency
posted in dawn
At least 24 militants were killed as jets bombed Taliban positions in the tribal region of Orakzai and troops maintained pressure on terrorists in South Waziristan and Swat on Sunday.
At least seven militants were killed and six camps of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and a seminary were destroyed in Orakzai Agency.
The jets also pounded the headquarters of TTP chief Hakeemullah Mehsud in Ghiljo bazaar in Upper Orakzai. According to local people, the bazaar was closed as militants surrounded their hideouts and carried out rescue work.
Militants’ positions and hideouts in Dabori and Mamozai areas of Lower Orakzai also came under heavy bombardment.
A large seminary was razed in Dabori. The number of casualties could not be ascertained.
A man and his son were arrested near the toll plaza on the Indus Highway for trying to smuggle arms and ammunition from Darra Adam Khel to Karachi. Two Kalashnikovs, six pistols, two shotguns, a repeater, 28 chargers and 1,345 cartridges were found in their car.
At least 24 militants were killed as jets bombed Taliban positions in the tribal region of Orakzai and troops maintained pressure on terrorists in South Waziristan and Swat on Sunday.
At least seven militants were killed and six camps of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and a seminary were destroyed in Orakzai Agency.
The jets also pounded the headquarters of TTP chief Hakeemullah Mehsud in Ghiljo bazaar in Upper Orakzai. According to local people, the bazaar was closed as militants surrounded their hideouts and carried out rescue work.
Militants’ positions and hideouts in Dabori and Mamozai areas of Lower Orakzai also came under heavy bombardment.
A large seminary was razed in Dabori. The number of casualties could not be ascertained.
A man and his son were arrested near the toll plaza on the Indus Highway for trying to smuggle arms and ammunition from Darra Adam Khel to Karachi. Two Kalashnikovs, six pistols, two shotguns, a repeater, 28 chargers and 1,345 cartridges were found in their car.
Taliban position bombed in Orakzai Agency
posted in dawn
At least 24 militants were killed as jets bombed Taliban positions in the tribal region of Orakzai and troops maintained pressure on terrorists in South Waziristan and Swat on Sunday.
At least seven militants were killed and six camps of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and a seminary were destroyed in Orakzai Agency.
The jets also pounded the headquarters of TTP chief Hakeemullah Mehsud in Ghiljo bazaar in Upper Orakzai. According to local people, the bazaar was closed as militants surrounded their hideouts and carried out rescue work.
Militants’ positions and hideouts in Dabori and Mamozai areas of Lower Orakzai also came under heavy bombardment.
A large seminary was razed in Dabori. The number of casualties could not be ascertained.
A man and his son were arrested near the toll plaza on the Indus Highway for trying to smuggle arms and ammunition from Darra Adam Khel to Karachi. Two Kalashnikovs, six pistols, two shotguns, a repeater, 28 chargers and 1,345 cartridges were found in their car.
At least 24 militants were killed as jets bombed Taliban positions in the tribal region of Orakzai and troops maintained pressure on terrorists in South Waziristan and Swat on Sunday.
At least seven militants were killed and six camps of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and a seminary were destroyed in Orakzai Agency.
The jets also pounded the headquarters of TTP chief Hakeemullah Mehsud in Ghiljo bazaar in Upper Orakzai. According to local people, the bazaar was closed as militants surrounded their hideouts and carried out rescue work.
Militants’ positions and hideouts in Dabori and Mamozai areas of Lower Orakzai also came under heavy bombardment.
A large seminary was razed in Dabori. The number of casualties could not be ascertained.
A man and his son were arrested near the toll plaza on the Indus Highway for trying to smuggle arms and ammunition from Darra Adam Khel to Karachi. Two Kalashnikovs, six pistols, two shotguns, a repeater, 28 chargers and 1,345 cartridges were found in their car.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Terrorist killed in Hangu
posted in daily times
Security forces killed a terrorist and injured one of his accomplices during a gunfight in the Wach Bazaar area of Hangu, a district administration official said on Thursday.
The official said some terrorists hurled hand grenades at a house owned by Salamat. The security forces opened fire on the terrorists while they were fleeing, killing one of them and wounding another. The attackers managed to escape along with the dead body and their injured accomplice. The residents of the house remained unhurt.
In another incident, an injured victim of a bomb blast succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. Two daughters and a son of Nameer, a resident of Gul Bagh, Hangu, were wounded in an explosion in their house on Wednesday night.
The injured girls are being treated at the District Headquarters Hospital, Kohat, where their condition is stated to be critical.
Security forces killed a terrorist and injured one of his accomplices during a gunfight in the Wach Bazaar area of Hangu, a district administration official said on Thursday.
The official said some terrorists hurled hand grenades at a house owned by Salamat. The security forces opened fire on the terrorists while they were fleeing, killing one of them and wounding another. The attackers managed to escape along with the dead body and their injured accomplice. The residents of the house remained unhurt.
In another incident, an injured victim of a bomb blast succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. Two daughters and a son of Nameer, a resident of Gul Bagh, Hangu, were wounded in an explosion in their house on Wednesday night.
The injured girls are being treated at the District Headquarters Hospital, Kohat, where their condition is stated to be critical.
Oil & gas sector top priority: Hoti
posted in news
NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti has said that the democratically elected government gives highest priority to oil and gas sector and is committed to accelerating exploration and production activities with a view to achieve maximum self-sufficiency in energy sector. Inaugurating the operations at Central Processing Facility Tal Block at Manzalai Thursday, he said the ‘Tal Block’ has estimated gas reserves of 2.56 trillion cubic feet and oil reserves 58.6 million barrels, which has an estimated life of about 178 years for oil and 117 years for natural gas. He said sale of natural gas to Sui Northern Gas Pipeline from the Manzalai Tal Block has already being commenced at a rate of 120 million cubic feet per day during the initial phase.
NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti has said that the democratically elected government gives highest priority to oil and gas sector and is committed to accelerating exploration and production activities with a view to achieve maximum self-sufficiency in energy sector. Inaugurating the operations at Central Processing Facility Tal Block at Manzalai Thursday, he said the ‘Tal Block’ has estimated gas reserves of 2.56 trillion cubic feet and oil reserves 58.6 million barrels, which has an estimated life of about 178 years for oil and 117 years for natural gas. He said sale of natural gas to Sui Northern Gas Pipeline from the Manzalai Tal Block has already being commenced at a rate of 120 million cubic feet per day during the initial phase.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
deadline from KUST faculty
posted in dawn
The faculty members and students of Kohat University of Science and Technology set a three-day deadline to the government for the recovery of the kidnapped vice-chancellor here on Saturday. The staff and the students staged a protest on the premises of KUST and strongly criticised government for its failure to provide security to the life and property of people.
The faculty members and students of Kohat University of Science and Technology set a three-day deadline to the government for the recovery of the kidnapped vice-chancellor here on Saturday. The staff and the students staged a protest on the premises of KUST and strongly criticised government for its failure to provide security to the life and property of people.
Kidnapping of VC: 15 elders held
posted ind dawn
The political administration of Darra Adamkhel arrested 15 tribal elders and impounded four vehicles of Akhorwal tribe under Frontier Crimes Regulations in connection with the kidnapping of vice-chancellor of Kohat University on Saturday.
The Khasadars arrested 15 tribesmen and impounded their four vehicles. The tribal elders were shifted to Spina Thana along with seized vehicles by the security forces.
The vice-chancellor of Kohat University of Science and Technology, Dr Lutfullah Kakakhel, was kidnapped by militants in Darra Adamkhel while on his way to Peshawar from Kohat on Friday night.
The assistant political agent of Frontier Region of Kohat, Kifayatullah Khan, asked the Akhorwal tribe to recover the kidnapped vice-chancellor, who was kidnapped from their soil or action would continue against them. They were warned if they failed to get the educationist released from Taliban their all 72 elders would be put behind the bars and their businesses would also be closed.
Meanwhile, the political administration ordered all the Khasadars to report to their duty in Darra Adamkhel immediately. It is important to mention here that the political administration had stopped Khasadars from performing their duties owing to growing activities of Taliban last year.
Sources said that the vice-chancellor might have been shifted to Khyber Agency or Orakzai Agency by Taliban through unfrequented routes which they used for carrying out terrorists acts in Darra Adamkhel.
The political administration of Darra Adamkhel arrested 15 tribal elders and impounded four vehicles of Akhorwal tribe under Frontier Crimes Regulations in connection with the kidnapping of vice-chancellor of Kohat University on Saturday.
The Khasadars arrested 15 tribesmen and impounded their four vehicles. The tribal elders were shifted to Spina Thana along with seized vehicles by the security forces.
The vice-chancellor of Kohat University of Science and Technology, Dr Lutfullah Kakakhel, was kidnapped by militants in Darra Adamkhel while on his way to Peshawar from Kohat on Friday night.
The assistant political agent of Frontier Region of Kohat, Kifayatullah Khan, asked the Akhorwal tribe to recover the kidnapped vice-chancellor, who was kidnapped from their soil or action would continue against them. They were warned if they failed to get the educationist released from Taliban their all 72 elders would be put behind the bars and their businesses would also be closed.
Meanwhile, the political administration ordered all the Khasadars to report to their duty in Darra Adamkhel immediately. It is important to mention here that the political administration had stopped Khasadars from performing their duties owing to growing activities of Taliban last year.
Sources said that the vice-chancellor might have been shifted to Khyber Agency or Orakzai Agency by Taliban through unfrequented routes which they used for carrying out terrorists acts in Darra Adamkhel.
4 militants, 3 troops killed in gunbattle
posted in dawn
Four militants and three security personnel were killed in an exchange of fire in Tora Warai area of Hangu district late on Friday night.
Official sources said that militants attacked a check-post near the Tora Warai Fort in Hangu district on Friday night for a second time in the last few days in which three security personnel were killed. Troops returned fire with artillery. The exchange of fire continued for several hours before militants fled, leaving behind four bodies of their accomplices. The bodies were found by troops on Saturday.
Militants had attacked the same check-post a few days ago and four of them were killed by troops in retaliatory fire.
Over a dozen militants were arrested in a crackdown launched by security forces in the Ahmadi Shama area of Lower Kurram on Saturday.
Officials said that security personnel carried out a house-to-house search in the area. Officials said that those arrested were being interrogated. A drone hit a suspected compound in the same area early this year killing over 30 people.
The administration has imposed a curfew in Sadda, the tehsil headquarters of Lower Kurram, while border with Afghanistan was closed for three days on Friday. Meanwhile, troops wrested control of two important positions from militants in Charkhel area.
Four militants and three security personnel were killed in an exchange of fire in Tora Warai area of Hangu district late on Friday night.
Official sources said that militants attacked a check-post near the Tora Warai Fort in Hangu district on Friday night for a second time in the last few days in which three security personnel were killed. Troops returned fire with artillery. The exchange of fire continued for several hours before militants fled, leaving behind four bodies of their accomplices. The bodies were found by troops on Saturday.
Militants had attacked the same check-post a few days ago and four of them were killed by troops in retaliatory fire.
Over a dozen militants were arrested in a crackdown launched by security forces in the Ahmadi Shama area of Lower Kurram on Saturday.
Officials said that security personnel carried out a house-to-house search in the area. Officials said that those arrested were being interrogated. A drone hit a suspected compound in the same area early this year killing over 30 people.
The administration has imposed a curfew in Sadda, the tehsil headquarters of Lower Kurram, while border with Afghanistan was closed for three days on Friday. Meanwhile, troops wrested control of two important positions from militants in Charkhel area.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Militants kidnap VC of Kohat varsity
posted in dawn
Suspected militants kidnapped the vice chancellor of the Kohat University of Science and Technology from Akhorwal area of Darra Adam Khel on Friday evening.
Prof Dr Lutfullah Kakakhel was going to Peshawar when armed men stopped his car near Akhorwal area.
The kidnappers took hold of the car and forced Mr Kakakhel to go with them, leaving behind driver Raj Wali and the VC’s companion Nadir Sarfraz.
Suspected militants kidnapped the vice chancellor of the Kohat University of Science and Technology from Akhorwal area of Darra Adam Khel on Friday evening.
Prof Dr Lutfullah Kakakhel was going to Peshawar when armed men stopped his car near Akhorwal area.
The kidnappers took hold of the car and forced Mr Kakakhel to go with them, leaving behind driver Raj Wali and the VC’s companion Nadir Sarfraz.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Report on bombers
posted in news
The district administration Wednesday forwarded an initial investigation report about the killing of two would-be suicide bombers in Lachi subdivision on Tuesday.
An investigation team headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Mushtaq Hussain and Inspector Nizam Shah was constituted to probe the incident. District Police Officer Delawar Khan Bangash and his team inspected the spot and recovered the head and body parts of the suicide bomber. The mutilated body of the accomplice of the suicide bomber was also found.
The report said a bike was recovered 500 metres away from the site, which was camouflaged by unidentified men. The police also recovered a mobile phone, SIM and memory card from the scene. Reports suggested that the would-be bomber was sitting on the bike when the suicide vest exploded, killing both on the spot.
The district administration Wednesday forwarded an initial investigation report about the killing of two would-be suicide bombers in Lachi subdivision on Tuesday.
An investigation team headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Mushtaq Hussain and Inspector Nizam Shah was constituted to probe the incident. District Police Officer Delawar Khan Bangash and his team inspected the spot and recovered the head and body parts of the suicide bomber. The mutilated body of the accomplice of the suicide bomber was also found.
The report said a bike was recovered 500 metres away from the site, which was camouflaged by unidentified men. The police also recovered a mobile phone, SIM and memory card from the scene. Reports suggested that the would-be bomber was sitting on the bike when the suicide vest exploded, killing both on the spot.
militants, woman killed in Kurram
posted in news
Four militants were killed when security forces exchanged fire with them after attack on a checkpost at Hangu-Parachinar border in the tribal area on Tuesday night.
A woman was also killed and three others were injured when an artillery shell fell at a house in Spim Wam during exchange of fire.
Official sources told Dawn that militants fired three rockets at the security checkpost in Spin Wam area of Kurram Agency which was followed by heavy machinegun fire on Tuesday night. Forces retaliated with artillery shelling and ground troops chased the militants. Security forces claimed that four militants were killed in the shootout.
Four militants were killed when security forces exchanged fire with them after attack on a checkpost at Hangu-Parachinar border in the tribal area on Tuesday night.
A woman was also killed and three others were injured when an artillery shell fell at a house in Spim Wam during exchange of fire.
Official sources told Dawn that militants fired three rockets at the security checkpost in Spin Wam area of Kurram Agency which was followed by heavy machinegun fire on Tuesday night. Forces retaliated with artillery shelling and ground troops chased the militants. Security forces claimed that four militants were killed in the shootout.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Bullet-riddled body found
posted in news
Bullet-riddled body of a man who was kidnapped last month was found in the Nasratkhel area on Tuesday. Fayyaz, brother of the deceased, told the Cantonment police that Hashim, Riaz, Arsal and Sajawal allegedly kidnapped his brother, Nawaz Khan, on October 17. The accused killed his brother and dumped his body in the Nasratkhel hills. Acting on the complaint, the police party rushed to the hilly area and took the body into custody that was shifted to District Headquarters Hospital for autopsy.
Bullet-riddled body of a man who was kidnapped last month was found in the Nasratkhel area on Tuesday. Fayyaz, brother of the deceased, told the Cantonment police that Hashim, Riaz, Arsal and Sajawal allegedly kidnapped his brother, Nawaz Khan, on October 17. The accused killed his brother and dumped his body in the Nasratkhel hills. Acting on the complaint, the police party rushed to the hilly area and took the body into custody that was shifted to District Headquarters Hospital for autopsy.
Would-be bomber killed in blast
posted in news
A would-be suicide bomber was killed before reaching his target in Lachi sub-division on Tuesday evening. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Abdullah Khan told The News that a would-be suicide bomber, riding a motorcycle, was heading to his alleged target when he was blown up in a nullah near Iftikhar Well area in Lachi at 9:15 p.m. It wasn’t clear as to where the motorcyclist was heading and his possible target. After the blast, the security forces and police along with the bomb disposal squad rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area. The bomb disposal squad collected pieces of evidence including body parts of the slain bomber.
A would-be suicide bomber was killed before reaching his target in Lachi sub-division on Tuesday evening. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Abdullah Khan told The News that a would-be suicide bomber, riding a motorcycle, was heading to his alleged target when he was blown up in a nullah near Iftikhar Well area in Lachi at 9:15 p.m. It wasn’t clear as to where the motorcyclist was heading and his possible target. After the blast, the security forces and police along with the bomb disposal squad rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area. The bomb disposal squad collected pieces of evidence including body parts of the slain bomber.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Village razed to the ground in Hangu
posted in dawn
Militants razed a whole village to the ground in Shahu Khel area by conducting a series of blasts on the third consecutive night in Hangu district on Saturday.
The village had roughly 100 houses and families belonging to a rival sect had been migrating after the Taliban started target killings and kidnappings a few months ago.
The TTP is in complete control of Shahu Khel and its militants started blowing up houses after security forces and police started operations against them and eliminated some of their important training camps and hideouts. They had planted 40 bombs and blown up as many houses on Saturday night. Earlier, they had destroyed two schools, an Imambargah, two houses and a basic health unit on Friday night.
Blasts continued since Saturday night and by Sunday the entire village was razed to the ground. No casualties were reported from the area as the entire village was empty after the migration of the entire population to safer places.
Leaders of the Qaumi Wahdat Council have been urging the government to improve its writ in Shahu Khel so that the people displaced by the Taliban could return to their village.
Security forces have often used artillery fire to stop the Taliban from blowing up houses, but with little success.
It is the same area where a renowned cleric and office-bearer of JUI-F, Maulana Muhammad Amin, was killed in an air strike in his Jamia Yousufia seminary in June last year.
At least 13 people, including children, eight women and prominent religious leaders, were killed and several injured in shelling by helicopter gunships in Hangu. Maulana Muhammad Amin, whose 12-year-old nephew was also killed in the air strike, was also the deputy chairman of Sunni Supreme Council. During shelling at another seminary in Shahu Khel, three women were killed when a house was hit by helicopter gunships.
Militants razed a whole village to the ground in Shahu Khel area by conducting a series of blasts on the third consecutive night in Hangu district on Saturday.
The village had roughly 100 houses and families belonging to a rival sect had been migrating after the Taliban started target killings and kidnappings a few months ago.
The TTP is in complete control of Shahu Khel and its militants started blowing up houses after security forces and police started operations against them and eliminated some of their important training camps and hideouts. They had planted 40 bombs and blown up as many houses on Saturday night. Earlier, they had destroyed two schools, an Imambargah, two houses and a basic health unit on Friday night.
Blasts continued since Saturday night and by Sunday the entire village was razed to the ground. No casualties were reported from the area as the entire village was empty after the migration of the entire population to safer places.
Leaders of the Qaumi Wahdat Council have been urging the government to improve its writ in Shahu Khel so that the people displaced by the Taliban could return to their village.
Security forces have often used artillery fire to stop the Taliban from blowing up houses, but with little success.
It is the same area where a renowned cleric and office-bearer of JUI-F, Maulana Muhammad Amin, was killed in an air strike in his Jamia Yousufia seminary in June last year.
At least 13 people, including children, eight women and prominent religious leaders, were killed and several injured in shelling by helicopter gunships in Hangu. Maulana Muhammad Amin, whose 12-year-old nephew was also killed in the air strike, was also the deputy chairman of Sunni Supreme Council. During shelling at another seminary in Shahu Khel, three women were killed when a house was hit by helicopter gunships.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Schools in Kohat reopen on Nov 2
posted in dawn
The commissioner, Kohat division, has ordered that all universities and educational institutions in the region including tribal areas would reopen from Nov 2.
He said that a 19-point security plan had already been enforced collectively by the government and the administrations of the educational institutions in the respective districts.
Addressing a high-level meeting at his office on Friday the Commissioner, Khalid Khan Umerzai listened to the proposals of the Peace Committee and representatives of the educational institutions. He directed the executive district officers, education, and the school/college managements to adopt a fool proof plan for the security of the children and the teachers.
The meeting was attended by DIG, Kohat region, Abdullah Khan, District Police Officer, Kohat, Dilawar Khan Bangash, District Coordination Officer, Kifayatullah Khan, District Coordination Officer, Karak, Mohammad Ajmal, all the executive district officers, education, members of the teachers’ association, peace committee members, and representatives of schools, colleges and universities attended the meeting.
The commissioner, Kohat division, has ordered that all universities and educational institutions in the region including tribal areas would reopen from Nov 2.
He said that a 19-point security plan had already been enforced collectively by the government and the administrations of the educational institutions in the respective districts.
Addressing a high-level meeting at his office on Friday the Commissioner, Khalid Khan Umerzai listened to the proposals of the Peace Committee and representatives of the educational institutions. He directed the executive district officers, education, and the school/college managements to adopt a fool proof plan for the security of the children and the teachers.
The meeting was attended by DIG, Kohat region, Abdullah Khan, District Police Officer, Kohat, Dilawar Khan Bangash, District Coordination Officer, Kifayatullah Khan, District Coordination Officer, Karak, Mohammad Ajmal, all the executive district officers, education, members of the teachers’ association, peace committee members, and representatives of schools, colleges and universities attended the meeting.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Prayer leader, two others picked up from Kohat
posted in dawn
The sleuths of a premiere intelligence agency picked up a prayer leader and two other persons from two different mosques in Kohat city, sources told Dawn.
They said that the intelligence agency acting on a tip off raided masjid-i-Qubaa in Jungle Khel area and arrested Maulvi Burhandud Din. Two other suspects were also picked up from a mosque located adjacent to the government veterinary hospital in Tirah bazaar.
Eyewitnesses said that some people came in army vehicles and took away two people from a mosque in Tirah bazaar. The identity of the arrested persons was kept secret.
Meanwhile, the bomb disposal squad of army destroyed two rockets and other explosives in the firing range on the outskirts of Kohat. The unexploded rockets were fired at Kohat Cantonment by militants few days ago. Explosive material seized from suspected militants was also destroyed.
The sleuths of a premiere intelligence agency picked up a prayer leader and two other persons from two different mosques in Kohat city, sources told Dawn.
They said that the intelligence agency acting on a tip off raided masjid-i-Qubaa in Jungle Khel area and arrested Maulvi Burhandud Din. Two other suspects were also picked up from a mosque located adjacent to the government veterinary hospital in Tirah bazaar.
Eyewitnesses said that some people came in army vehicles and took away two people from a mosque in Tirah bazaar. The identity of the arrested persons was kept secret.
Meanwhile, the bomb disposal squad of army destroyed two rockets and other explosives in the firing range on the outskirts of Kohat. The unexploded rockets were fired at Kohat Cantonment by militants few days ago. Explosive material seized from suspected militants was also destroyed.
Afghans held under Foreign Act in Kohat
posted in dawn
The police arrested seven Afghans, who were trying to enter Hangu district from Kurram Agency on Thursday.
The Afghans were booked under 14 Foreign Act. They were being interrogated before expulsion from the country.
Meanwhile, in a joint operation police and Frontier Constabulary conducted raids at different places in Dalan and Doaba and arrested four people along with unlicensed weapons. Two Kalashnikovs, three shotguns and five pistols were also recovered from the possession of the four accused.
The police arrested seven Afghans, who were trying to enter Hangu district from Kurram Agency on Thursday.
The Afghans were booked under 14 Foreign Act. They were being interrogated before expulsion from the country.
Meanwhile, in a joint operation police and Frontier Constabulary conducted raids at different places in Dalan and Doaba and arrested four people along with unlicensed weapons. Two Kalashnikovs, three shotguns and five pistols were also recovered from the possession of the four accused.
Results of KUST will be annouced today
posted in dawn
The Kohat University of Science and Technology will announce results of B.Com Part-I and Part-II examination, 2009 at 11am on Friday.
A notification issued on Thursday by the controller examination, Azad Khatak, said the candidates interested in rechecking of their papers should submit their applications within 20 days with the examination section.
The candidates whose result had been withheld due to unfair means cases should appear before the committee concerned on Nov 5 between 10am and 2pm, it said. Similarly, the detailed marks certificates could be collected by the candidates from the office of principal of their schools.
The Kohat University of Science and Technology will announce results of B.Com Part-I and Part-II examination, 2009 at 11am on Friday.
A notification issued on Thursday by the controller examination, Azad Khatak, said the candidates interested in rechecking of their papers should submit their applications within 20 days with the examination section.
The candidates whose result had been withheld due to unfair means cases should appear before the committee concerned on Nov 5 between 10am and 2pm, it said. Similarly, the detailed marks certificates could be collected by the candidates from the office of principal of their schools.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
militants arrested in Kohat
posted in dawn
Police and security forces arrested six suspected militants and two outlaws during the ongoing search operation on Tuesday.
The joint search operation was conducted in Muhammadzai, Shahpur, Jarma, Tappi, Bilitang, Junglekhel and Gumbat areas of Kohat district.
Eight people including two outlaws were arrested after forces carried out raids at suspected hideouts and recovered two Kalashnikovs, three rifles, five pistols, four shotguns and huge quantity of cartridges.
Police and security forces arrested six suspected militants and two outlaws during the ongoing search operation on Tuesday.
The joint search operation was conducted in Muhammadzai, Shahpur, Jarma, Tappi, Bilitang, Junglekhel and Gumbat areas of Kohat district.
Eight people including two outlaws were arrested after forces carried out raids at suspected hideouts and recovered two Kalashnikovs, three rifles, five pistols, four shotguns and huge quantity of cartridges.
Two women shot dead in Kohat
posted in dawn
Two women were killed allegedly by their relatives in their houses in different areas of Kohat on Tuesday. In first incident Umer Khan allegedly opened firing on a 40-year-old woman, the widow of Hayat Khan, in Dhodha village and killed him. He managed to escape.
Similarly, a tribesman from Orakzai Agency, Asal Khan, allegedly killed his sister-in-law, wife of Naimat Khan, in her house over a petty dispute in Hayat Shaheed Colony. Sadder police station registered both the cases against the accused and started investigations.
Two women were killed allegedly by their relatives in their houses in different areas of Kohat on Tuesday. In first incident Umer Khan allegedly opened firing on a 40-year-old woman, the widow of Hayat Khan, in Dhodha village and killed him. He managed to escape.
Similarly, a tribesman from Orakzai Agency, Asal Khan, allegedly killed his sister-in-law, wife of Naimat Khan, in her house over a petty dispute in Hayat Shaheed Colony. Sadder police station registered both the cases against the accused and started investigations.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
posted in dawn
Sixteen militants were killed and 23 others injured during a joint operation by the army and Frontier Constabulary in Tora Warai area of Hangu district on Sunday night and Monday.
Fifty-four militants, some Afghans among them, were captured. According to officials, security officer Abdul Jaffar lost his life and seven other personnel suffered injuries in the operation which was launched after an attack by militants on a military checkpost in Tora Warai late on Sunday night.
According to reports reaching here, hundreds of militants of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan from Orakzai Agency and no-go areas of Hangu took part in the attack. Troops repulsed the attack after a gunbattle which continued for about two hours.
The officials told Dawn that militants had taken away the bodies of their colleagues and the injured. Six hideouts of militants were destroyed in Tora Warai and a large quantity of arms and ammunition, including two rocket-launchers, five rockets, two grenades, three shotguns, two rifles, four pistols and automatic weapons, was seized. Militants use Tora Warai to enter North Waziristan from Orakzai. A few days ago, security forces blew up a road linking Hangu with North Waziristan to stop the movement of militants. Meanwhile, DPO Gul Wali Khan said that police had arrested 22 suspects, including seven illegal Afghan nationals, during a search operation in Hangu and Thall. Two Kalashnikovs, three rifles, five shotguns, seven pistols and cartridges were seized. Police also foiled an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of food items to Afghanistan and arrested six people. Three trucks carrying 1,050 bags of flour, 10 bags of wheat, 400 bags of sugar and 60 tins of ghee were impounded.
posted in dawn
Sixteen militants were killed and 23 others injured during a joint operation by the army and Frontier Constabulary in Tora Warai area of Hangu district on Sunday night and Monday. Fifty-four militants, some Afghans among them, were captured. According to officials, security officer Abdul Jaffar lost his life and seven other personnel suffered injuries in the operation which was launched after an attack by militants on a military checkpost in Tora Warai late on Sunday night. According to reports reaching here, hundreds of militants of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan from Orakzai Agency and no-go areas of Hangu took part in the attack. Troops repulsed the attack after a gunbattle which continued for about two hours. The officials told Dawn that militants had taken away the bodies of their colleagues and the injured. Six hideouts of militants were destroyed in Tora Warai and a large quantity of arms and ammunition, including two rocket-launchers, five rockets, two grenades, three shotguns, two rifles, four pistols and automatic weapons, was seized. Militants use Tora Warai to enter North Waziristan from Orakzai. A few days ago, security forces blew up a road linking Hangu with North Waziristan to stop the movement of militants. Meanwhile, DPO Gul Wali Khan said that police had arrested 22 suspects, including seven illegal Afghan nationals, during a search operation in Hangu and Thall. Two Kalashnikovs, three rifles, five shotguns, seven pistols and cartridges were seized. Police also foiled an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of food items to Afghanistan and arrested six people. Three trucks carrying 1,050 bags of flour, 10 bags of wheat, 400 bags of sugar and 60 tins of ghee were impounded.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Kohat medics want security
posted in news
The doctor and paramedic association of the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Saturday demanded of the government foolproof security owing to growing terror threats. The meeting of the associations, chaired by Dr Safdar Khan, was held following firing incident in the hospital. Unknown gunmen fired at the hospital late Friday, creating a panic among the staff. The doctors, however, postponed the strike after the DCO assured them proper action.
The doctor and paramedic association of the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Saturday demanded of the government foolproof security owing to growing terror threats. The meeting of the associations, chaired by Dr Safdar Khan, was held following firing incident in the hospital. Unknown gunmen fired at the hospital late Friday, creating a panic among the staff. The doctors, however, postponed the strike after the DCO assured them proper action.
Friday, October 23, 2009
One killed in Kohat shell blast
posted in news
One person was killed when a shell fired from unknown location hit the Tirah bazaar.
Security forces pounded militants’ hideouts after the incident.Police sources said two rockets were fired from undisclosed location late on Thursday night among which one was landed in Tirah bazaar and exploded.
A passerby received serious injuries that later died in Liaquat hospital. Forces targeted militants’ positions with heavy artillery in Dara Adamkhel. No causality was reported in the incident.
One person was killed when a shell fired from unknown location hit the Tirah bazaar.
Security forces pounded militants’ hideouts after the incident.Police sources said two rockets were fired from undisclosed location late on Thursday night among which one was landed in Tirah bazaar and exploded.
A passerby received serious injuries that later died in Liaquat hospital. Forces targeted militants’ positions with heavy artillery in Dara Adamkhel. No causality was reported in the incident.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
18 held in Kohat
posted in dawn
Police and security forces arrested 18 suspected militants in Kohat and three fugitives in Hangu on Tuesday.
The police elite force and the security forces conducted operation in different sectors of the KDA Township and Cantonment areas.
During search, they arrested 18 people belonging to tribal areas, who were allegedly involved in terrorist activities. The arrested persons were shifted to an unspecified place amid tight security for interrogation.
In Hangu, the Saddar police raided certain houses in Togh Sarai and Mohammad Khwaja areas on a tip-off that proclaimed offenders were hiding there and arrested three accused, Hashmat Haleem, Mohammad Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan. A hand grenade, one Kalashnikov and dozens of cartridges were also seized from them.
Police and security forces arrested 18 suspected militants in Kohat and three fugitives in Hangu on Tuesday.
The police elite force and the security forces conducted operation in different sectors of the KDA Township and Cantonment areas.
During search, they arrested 18 people belonging to tribal areas, who were allegedly involved in terrorist activities. The arrested persons were shifted to an unspecified place amid tight security for interrogation.
In Hangu, the Saddar police raided certain houses in Togh Sarai and Mohammad Khwaja areas on a tip-off that proclaimed offenders were hiding there and arrested three accused, Hashmat Haleem, Mohammad Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan. A hand grenade, one Kalashnikov and dozens of cartridges were also seized from them.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Eight suspects arrested in Kohat
posted in news
The police arrested eight suspected persons including two Afghan nationals during search operation in the district on Sunday.
Official sources said the suspects were arrested in Ublan, Sheikhan, Jarma, Merozai and Bilitang areas during search. The suspects included Noor Marjan, Khan Zaman, Naseer Ahmad, Asimuddin, Muzamil, Israruddin and Zarbat Khan.
Two Kalashnikov rifles, three rifles, three shotguns, five pistols and hundreds of rounds were also recovered.Meanwhile, the provincial anti-carlifting cell was mulling action against non-custom paid vehicles and lifted cars as such vehicles were used in the recent car-bombing incidents in the district, the sources added.
The police arrested eight suspected persons including two Afghan nationals during search operation in the district on Sunday.
Official sources said the suspects were arrested in Ublan, Sheikhan, Jarma, Merozai and Bilitang areas during search. The suspects included Noor Marjan, Khan Zaman, Naseer Ahmad, Asimuddin, Muzamil, Israruddin and Zarbat Khan.
Two Kalashnikov rifles, three rifles, three shotguns, five pistols and hundreds of rounds were also recovered.Meanwhile, the provincial anti-carlifting cell was mulling action against non-custom paid vehicles and lifted cars as such vehicles were used in the recent car-bombing incidents in the district, the sources added.
Taliban launch fund-raising campaign in Kohat Region
posted in dawn
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan has started a fund-raising campaign in the Orakzai Agency and parts of the Kurram Agency and Hangu.
Sources said the TTP men were asking tribesmen to donate generously because the conflict in South Waziristan was likely to be a long one.
“They are demanding cash for weapons, food and medicines because it is going to be a long offensive,” said a local.
According to him, many politicians, businessmen, drug barons and jewellers in Kohat, Hangu, Thall, Kurram Agency, Darra Adamkhel and Bannu have been making periodic payments to the Taliban.
“So these donations are in addition to the money routinely and regularly extorted by the militants.”
Taliban reportedly collect Rs15 million every year as “jazia” from the Sikh community in Orakzai Agency. They have also amassed huge sums through kidnapping for ransom.
They kidnapped a local trader, Fayyaz Paracha, from the Kohat-Hangu highway three days ago and demanded Rs10 million for his release. A kidnapped man, released from a TTP hideout on the outskirts of Kohat after a military operation, told Dawn some time ago that their captives termed ransom “a kind of jihad”.
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan has started a fund-raising campaign in the Orakzai Agency and parts of the Kurram Agency and Hangu.
Sources said the TTP men were asking tribesmen to donate generously because the conflict in South Waziristan was likely to be a long one.
“They are demanding cash for weapons, food and medicines because it is going to be a long offensive,” said a local.
According to him, many politicians, businessmen, drug barons and jewellers in Kohat, Hangu, Thall, Kurram Agency, Darra Adamkhel and Bannu have been making periodic payments to the Taliban.
“So these donations are in addition to the money routinely and regularly extorted by the militants.”
Taliban reportedly collect Rs15 million every year as “jazia” from the Sikh community in Orakzai Agency. They have also amassed huge sums through kidnapping for ransom.
They kidnapped a local trader, Fayyaz Paracha, from the Kohat-Hangu highway three days ago and demanded Rs10 million for his release. A kidnapped man, released from a TTP hideout on the outskirts of Kohat after a military operation, told Dawn some time ago that their captives termed ransom “a kind of jihad”.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Irrelevant people entry banned in Kohat Schools
posted in dawn
The district administration on Saturday banned the entry of irrelevant people in private and government sector schools for security reasons.
It asked administrations of the schools to keep the gates closed after the start of classes.
Similarly, the parents should be allowed in schools only after showing their national identity card and going through strict body search, the order said.
The district administration warned that if a school watchman was found absent without information, stern action would be taken against him.
School heads were asked to hire watchmen and make foolproof security arrangements for protection of children.
The district administration on Saturday banned the entry of irrelevant people in private and government sector schools for security reasons.
It asked administrations of the schools to keep the gates closed after the start of classes.
Similarly, the parents should be allowed in schools only after showing their national identity card and going through strict body search, the order said.
The district administration warned that if a school watchman was found absent without information, stern action would be taken against him.
School heads were asked to hire watchmen and make foolproof security arrangements for protection of children.
Ten held in Hangu
posted in news
The district police in a joint operation with the Frontier Constabulary (FC) arrested 10 suspected militants including four kidnappers and recovered weapons from their possession on Saturday. Sources said the joint operation was conducted in the Mardukhel Banda, Gidarwan, Hayatabad, Sifat Banda and Togh Chappar areas in the district. The held militants included Ajab Noor, Muhammad Umar, Naveedur Rahman, Muhammad Rasool, Sakhi, Lahor Khan, Niaz Rasool, Sadiq Shah and Muhammad Shah. Official sources said one machine-gun, five Kalashnikoves rifles, seven shotguns, four rifles, eight pistols and thousands ammunition rounds were recovered from the suspects.
The district police in a joint operation with the Frontier Constabulary (FC) arrested 10 suspected militants including four kidnappers and recovered weapons from their possession on Saturday. Sources said the joint operation was conducted in the Mardukhel Banda, Gidarwan, Hayatabad, Sifat Banda and Togh Chappar areas in the district. The held militants included Ajab Noor, Muhammad Umar, Naveedur Rahman, Muhammad Rasool, Sakhi, Lahor Khan, Niaz Rasool, Sadiq Shah and Muhammad Shah. Official sources said one machine-gun, five Kalashnikoves rifles, seven shotguns, four rifles, eight pistols and thousands ammunition rounds were recovered from the suspects.
Militants’ hideouts pounded in Darra and Orakzai Agency
posted in dawn
Helicopter gunships pounded militants’ hideouts in Darra Adamkhel and Orakzai Agency on Saturday.
According to official sources, the gunships started targeting suspected hideouts in Shani Kalay, Bostikhel and Sar Mela areas of frontier region of Kohat on Friday night and the blitz continued till Saturday afternoon.
Security forces fired artillery rounds at a route linking Darra Adamkhel with Khyber Agency which is frequently used by militants.
Helicopter gunships also targeted positions in Feroze Khel area of lower Orakzai Agency, believed to be a stronghold of Tariq Afridi group of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan. However, there were no reports of casualties.
Meanwhile, armed men belonging to Tariq Afridi group looted two arms shops of pro-government local leader Momin Khan Afridi in Darra Adamkhel bazaar.
A fight is going on between Momin Khan Afridi group and the Tariq Afridi group after the expiry of the deadline given by the former to the latter to vacate the area till Thursday last.
Helicopter gunships pounded militants’ hideouts in Darra Adamkhel and Orakzai Agency on Saturday.
According to official sources, the gunships started targeting suspected hideouts in Shani Kalay, Bostikhel and Sar Mela areas of frontier region of Kohat on Friday night and the blitz continued till Saturday afternoon.
Security forces fired artillery rounds at a route linking Darra Adamkhel with Khyber Agency which is frequently used by militants.
Helicopter gunships also targeted positions in Feroze Khel area of lower Orakzai Agency, believed to be a stronghold of Tariq Afridi group of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan. However, there were no reports of casualties.
Meanwhile, armed men belonging to Tariq Afridi group looted two arms shops of pro-government local leader Momin Khan Afridi in Darra Adamkhel bazaar.
A fight is going on between Momin Khan Afridi group and the Tariq Afridi group after the expiry of the deadline given by the former to the latter to vacate the area till Thursday last.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Evidence from Kohat blast sent for DNA test
posted in news
The investigation team of the district police have gathered the required forensic evidence of the Thursday suicide bombing in Kohat and sent it and the body parts of the suicide bomber to the laboratory for DNA test, a senior police official said on Friday.
Talking to reporters, district police officer Delawar Khan Bangash said the investigation team obtained pieces of evidence from the spot and sent it to the laboratory for test. He said that the van used in the attack carried engine number IKZ0101755 and K2K130-906140, which appeared to be non-customs paid.
He said the explosives had been hidden in the secret cavities of the van.Meanwhile, the funerals of those slain in the suicide bombing targeting the Cantonment Police Station in Kohat were held in the city and in their respective villages.
The blast killed 11 people including three cops and injured another 22.
The investigation team of the district police have gathered the required forensic evidence of the Thursday suicide bombing in Kohat and sent it and the body parts of the suicide bomber to the laboratory for DNA test, a senior police official said on Friday.
Talking to reporters, district police officer Delawar Khan Bangash said the investigation team obtained pieces of evidence from the spot and sent it to the laboratory for test. He said that the van used in the attack carried engine number IKZ0101755 and K2K130-906140, which appeared to be non-customs paid.
He said the explosives had been hidden in the secret cavities of the van.Meanwhile, the funerals of those slain in the suicide bombing targeting the Cantonment Police Station in Kohat were held in the city and in their respective villages.
The blast killed 11 people including three cops and injured another 22.
Evidence from Kohat blast sent for DNA test
posted in news
The investigation team of the district police have gathered the required forensic evidence of the Thursday suicide bombing in Kohat and sent it and the body parts of the suicide bomber to the laboratory for DNA test, a senior police official said on Friday.
Talking to reporters, district police officer Delawar Khan Bangash said the investigation team obtained pieces of evidence from the spot and sent it to the laboratory for test. He said that the van used in the attack carried engine number IKZ0101755 and K2K130-906140, which appeared to be non-customs paid.
He said the explosives had been hidden in the secret cavities of the van.Meanwhile, the funerals of those slain in the suicide bombing targeting the Cantonment Police Station in Kohat were held in the city and in their respective villages.
The blast killed 11 people including three cops and injured another 22.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Ten killed in Kohat suicide attack
posted in dawn
At least ten people were killed and several others wounded when a car bomb exploded near the Cantt Police Station in the northwestern Pakistani town of Kohat, police officials said.
'It was a suicide attack,' district police chief Dilawar Bangash said.
The bomber ploughed his car into the outer wall of the police station in the town of Kohat, he said, adding that the building was badly damaged. 'Some school children are among the dead,' another policeman at the scene added. Some 20 others have also been wounded. The toll may go up, another police official, Fazle Naeem, added.
Kohat is an area close to the militant-riddled tribal regions.
Pakistan has suffered a string of suicide attacks in the past two weeks that have killed more than 100 people. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for most of the assaults and warned of more if the army proceeds with an offensive in their main stronghold in South Waziristan tribal region.
'It was a suicide attack,' district police chief Dilawar Bangash said.
The bomber ploughed his car into the outer wall of the police station in the town of Kohat, he said, adding that the building was badly damaged. 'Some school children are among the dead,' another policeman at the scene added. Some 20 others have also been wounded. The toll may go up, another police official, Fazle Naeem, added.
Kohat is an area close to the militant-riddled tribal regions.
Pakistan has suffered a string of suicide attacks in the past two weeks that have killed more than 100 people. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for most of the assaults and warned of more if the army proceeds with an offensive in their main stronghold in South Waziristan tribal region.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Over 100 held, arms seized in Kohat swoop
posted in dawn
More than 100 suspected militants including 56 illegally staying foreigners were arrested in an operation conducted by the police and Frontier Constabulary in Kohat region on Sunday.
The operation which was largely carried out in parts of the Kohat and Hangu districts along the Orakzai Agency and Frontier Region of Kohat besides the congested city areas, was aimed at wiping out suspected militants.
The DIG, Kohat region, Abdullah Jan said that they were concentrating on the border areas of Hangu and Kohat to plug the unfrequented routes which were used by militants to enter Punjab.
He informed that huge quantity of lethal weapons was also seized from suspects who were being interrogated by a special team.
The police commandoes and FC personnel took part in the clean up operation in which Armoured Personnel Carriers and heavy machine guns were used in the B areas.
Mr Jan said that the operation had become indispensable in the present situation when the terrorists and kidnappers had let loose reign of terror in the region.
The operation was conducted in the light of the information given to police by the intelligence agencies in all the refugee camps in the region.
The seizure included 10 Kalashnikovs, 3 12-bore repeaters, 7 rifles, 15 pistols, 6 shot guns, 800 cartridges of different bores and 18 chargers.
More than 100 suspected militants including 56 illegally staying foreigners were arrested in an operation conducted by the police and Frontier Constabulary in Kohat region on Sunday.
The operation which was largely carried out in parts of the Kohat and Hangu districts along the Orakzai Agency and Frontier Region of Kohat besides the congested city areas, was aimed at wiping out suspected militants.
The DIG, Kohat region, Abdullah Jan said that they were concentrating on the border areas of Hangu and Kohat to plug the unfrequented routes which were used by militants to enter Punjab.
He informed that huge quantity of lethal weapons was also seized from suspects who were being interrogated by a special team.
The police commandoes and FC personnel took part in the clean up operation in which Armoured Personnel Carriers and heavy machine guns were used in the B areas.
Mr Jan said that the operation had become indispensable in the present situation when the terrorists and kidnappers had let loose reign of terror in the region.
The operation was conducted in the light of the information given to police by the intelligence agencies in all the refugee camps in the region.
The seizure included 10 Kalashnikovs, 3 12-bore repeaters, 7 rifles, 15 pistols, 6 shot guns, 800 cartridges of different bores and 18 chargers.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Bomb defused in Kohat
posted in dawn
An improvised explosive device planted with an electricity pole on Hangu Road was defused by the bomb disposal squad on Friday.
The police sources said that a man called Rescue-15 and told that smoke was blowing from a suspicious bag near Al-Yaseen CNG filling station on Hangu Road. The bomb disposal squad reached the scene along with police personnel and blocked the Kohat-Parachinar highway for the safety of the passengers and defused the device.
The bomb disposal squad officials said that deadly explosive material was used in the 5-kg bomb and the bag was stuffed with nuts, bolts and ball bearings to inflict extensive damage.
An improvised explosive device planted with an electricity pole on Hangu Road was defused by the bomb disposal squad on Friday.
The police sources said that a man called Rescue-15 and told that smoke was blowing from a suspicious bag near Al-Yaseen CNG filling station on Hangu Road. The bomb disposal squad reached the scene along with police personnel and blocked the Kohat-Parachinar highway for the safety of the passengers and defused the device.
The bomb disposal squad officials said that deadly explosive material was used in the 5-kg bomb and the bag was stuffed with nuts, bolts and ball bearings to inflict extensive damage.
Taliban camp pounded in Darra; 10 killed
posted in dawn
Ten militants were killed and another six injured on Friday when helicopter gunships attacked a training camp of Tehrik-i-Taliban Darra Adamkhel in Tora Chinna.
Three hideouts of militants were destroyed as artillery fire on suspected positions continued on the second day on Friday. Eighteen suspected militants were arrested in Sra Mela and Sharaki areas.
The air strike follows the killing of a security man in an ambush by militants in Bostikhel area of Kohat Frontier Region on Thursday.
Official sources said a convoy came under fire in Bostikhel in which a security man, Sajjad, was killed. The body was brought to the combined military hospital.
A check-post was damaged in Akhorwal when militants fired four rockets.
Ten militants were killed and another six injured on Friday when helicopter gunships attacked a training camp of Tehrik-i-Taliban Darra Adamkhel in Tora Chinna.
Three hideouts of militants were destroyed as artillery fire on suspected positions continued on the second day on Friday. Eighteen suspected militants were arrested in Sra Mela and Sharaki areas.
The air strike follows the killing of a security man in an ambush by militants in Bostikhel area of Kohat Frontier Region on Thursday.
Official sources said a convoy came under fire in Bostikhel in which a security man, Sajjad, was killed. The body was brought to the combined military hospital.
A check-post was damaged in Akhorwal when militants fired four rockets.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Six Jordanian widows handed over to NGO
posted in dawn
Six Jordanian widows were handed over to the chairman of the World Prisoners’ Relief Commission, Pakistan, by unknown tribesmen here on Monday morning.
In a press release issued here, the commission’s Pakistan chapter chairman Javed Ibrahim Paracha said husbands of the six women had died in the Afghanistan fighting some time ago. He said a few religious-minded tribesmen approached him and told him that the women who had children along with them wanted to go back to their country.
Mr Paracha contacted the ambassador of Jordan in Islamabad, who talked to the women and confirmed the identity of their relatives in Jordan. He requested Mr Paracha to bring the families to Islamabad as soon as possible so that arrangements for their early return to their country could be made.
Mr Paracha told Dawn that the women were handed over to him by tribesmen, but they did not disclose the name of the tribal area where they had been kept after the deaths of their husbands. He claimed that the women were in fact princesses and members of the royal family of Jordan.
Sources, however, said the women’s husbands had died during air strikes on the hideouts of militants in Orakzai and Kurram agencies a few months ago.
The women will be handed over to the Jordanian ambassador in Islamabad on Oct 7.
Six Jordanian widows were handed over to the chairman of the World Prisoners’ Relief Commission, Pakistan, by unknown tribesmen here on Monday morning.
In a press release issued here, the commission’s Pakistan chapter chairman Javed Ibrahim Paracha said husbands of the six women had died in the Afghanistan fighting some time ago. He said a few religious-minded tribesmen approached him and told him that the women who had children along with them wanted to go back to their country.
Mr Paracha contacted the ambassador of Jordan in Islamabad, who talked to the women and confirmed the identity of their relatives in Jordan. He requested Mr Paracha to bring the families to Islamabad as soon as possible so that arrangements for their early return to their country could be made.
Mr Paracha told Dawn that the women were handed over to him by tribesmen, but they did not disclose the name of the tribal area where they had been kept after the deaths of their husbands. He claimed that the women were in fact princesses and members of the royal family of Jordan.
Sources, however, said the women’s husbands had died during air strikes on the hideouts of militants in Orakzai and Kurram agencies a few months ago.
The women will be handed over to the Jordanian ambassador in Islamabad on Oct 7.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Four security men injured in Darra rocket attack
posted in dawn
Four security personnel were injured when militants attacked Spina Thana in Akhorwal area of Darra Adamkhel with rockets on Tuesday night.
The security forces responded with artillery and machinegun fire and destroyed two hideouts of Darra Taliban. However, no casualties were reported from militants’ side.
Militants fired three rockets at the heavily guarded camp of security forces in Spina Thana. As a result naib subedar Gul Nabi, lance naik Rehmatullah, lance naik Zikria and sepoy Hayatullah sustained serious injuries.
The injured were shifted to combined military hospital in Peshawar for treatment.
Security forces retaliated with artillery and heavy machinegun fire and destroyed two hideouts of the militants.
Four security personnel were injured when militants attacked Spina Thana in Akhorwal area of Darra Adamkhel with rockets on Tuesday night.
The security forces responded with artillery and machinegun fire and destroyed two hideouts of Darra Taliban. However, no casualties were reported from militants’ side.
Militants fired three rockets at the heavily guarded camp of security forces in Spina Thana. As a result naib subedar Gul Nabi, lance naik Rehmatullah, lance naik Zikria and sepoy Hayatullah sustained serious injuries.
The injured were shifted to combined military hospital in Peshawar for treatment.
Security forces retaliated with artillery and heavy machinegun fire and destroyed two hideouts of the militants.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Kidnapped arms dealer recovered
posted in news
Security forces recovered the owner of Daud Sons Armory and arrested three kidnappers in an operation carried out in Doaba area of Hangu district on Monday.
Acting on a tip-off about the shifting of Hakeemuddin, owner of the arms factory on Kohat Road Peshawar, to Wana from Doaba, the security forces raided a hideout in the area. An exchange of gunfire took place between the security forces and kidnappers, resulting in the arrest of three of them and recovery of the kidnapped arms dealer.
Militants associated with the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had kidnapped Hakeemuddin from Peshawar on March 9. They had demanded Rs50 million as ransom which was reduced to Rs20 million later.
Hakeemuddin was accused by the militants of supplying arms and ammunition to the security forces across the country. The NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti had already announced award of Rs5 million for the safe recovery of the kidnapped arms dealer.
Security forces recovered the owner of Daud Sons Armory and arrested three kidnappers in an operation carried out in Doaba area of Hangu district on Monday.
Acting on a tip-off about the shifting of Hakeemuddin, owner of the arms factory on Kohat Road Peshawar, to Wana from Doaba, the security forces raided a hideout in the area. An exchange of gunfire took place between the security forces and kidnappers, resulting in the arrest of three of them and recovery of the kidnapped arms dealer.
Militants associated with the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had kidnapped Hakeemuddin from Peshawar on March 9. They had demanded Rs50 million as ransom which was reduced to Rs20 million later.
Hakeemuddin was accused by the militants of supplying arms and ammunition to the security forces across the country. The NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti had already announced award of Rs5 million for the safe recovery of the kidnapped arms dealer.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
TMA official’s body found in Darra
posted in news
The throat-slit body of Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) official working in Lachi teshil, who was kidnapped Friday, was found dumped in Akhorwal area of Darra Adamkhel Saturday. Official sources said the official Saadullah Khan, along with his family members, was on his way to Kohat from Peshawar Friday morning when his car was intercepted and militants kidnapped him near Speena Thana. His body was shifted to a public hospital in Darra Adamkhel.
The throat-slit body of Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) official working in Lachi teshil, who was kidnapped Friday, was found dumped in Akhorwal area of Darra Adamkhel Saturday. Official sources said the official Saadullah Khan, along with his family members, was on his way to Kohat from Peshawar Friday morning when his car was intercepted and militants kidnapped him near Speena Thana. His body was shifted to a public hospital in Darra Adamkhel.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Four killed in separate incidents
posted in thenews
Four persons, including a woman and a child, died and five others sustained injuries in separate incidents here Wednesday.
Police said that a man along and his nephew drowned while swimming in Zebi Dam. Farman and Sajid of Thor Mrach area had gone to the dam for picnic on Eidul Fitr. Divers took out the bodies from the dam after hectic efforts.
In another incident, a four-year-old child was killed and his father Ismail injured when his grandfather Abdullah Noor of Thordhand accidentally triggered the pistol while cleaning it. Separately, a passer-by, Asmatulah of Tappi, was injured during crossfire between two rival groups.
In yet another incident, two motorbike riders, Sayal and Ramazan of Badeenkhel, sustained injuries in a head on collision between their bikes.A woman died and another was injured when a motorcar hit them on Indus Highway at Mirkalam Banda. The deceased was identified as Gul Mewa of Chennikhel while the injured was identified as Zuleha of Mirkalam Banda. She was rushed to DHQ hospital.
Four persons, including a woman and a child, died and five others sustained injuries in separate incidents here Wednesday.
Police said that a man along and his nephew drowned while swimming in Zebi Dam. Farman and Sajid of Thor Mrach area had gone to the dam for picnic on Eidul Fitr. Divers took out the bodies from the dam after hectic efforts.
In another incident, a four-year-old child was killed and his father Ismail injured when his grandfather Abdullah Noor of Thordhand accidentally triggered the pistol while cleaning it. Separately, a passer-by, Asmatulah of Tappi, was injured during crossfire between two rival groups.
In yet another incident, two motorbike riders, Sayal and Ramazan of Badeenkhel, sustained injuries in a head on collision between their bikes.A woman died and another was injured when a motorcar hit them on Indus Highway at Mirkalam Banda. The deceased was identified as Gul Mewa of Chennikhel while the injured was identified as Zuleha of Mirkalam Banda. She was rushed to DHQ hospital.
Mastermind of suicide bombings’ held in Darra
posted in thenews
The security forces arrested 11 militants, including alleged mastermind of suicide bombings, during search operation in Frontier Region of Darra Adamkhel on Wednesday.
Eight suspected militants were also held in raids on seminaries in Kohat district. Official sources said five militants, including an alleged mastermind of suicide bombings, were held in injured condition after an exchange of fire during a search operation in Sagiwal area of Darra Adamkhel. The government officials, however, did not disclose the name of the alleged mastermind of suicide bombings and other militants.
After giving required treatment to the arrested militants at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), the security forces shifted them to an undisclosed location for interrogation, the sources added.
The sources said the arrested militants were involved in an attack on a checkpoint in Zor Killay that had left two soldiers dead a couple of day ago. Six militants were rounded up elsewhere in Darra Adamkhel during the search and clearance operation, the sources said.
In Tekiwal area, the security forces blew up a house belonging to one Haya Khan Afridi, which was in the use of militants. The forces also targeted various hideouts of militants in the hills of Darra Adamkhel with heavy artillery. No casualty was, however, reported. Meanwhile, the security forces arrested eight militants during raids on two seminaries in Junglekhel and Bili Tang towns in Kohat.
The security forces arrested 11 militants, including alleged mastermind of suicide bombings, during search operation in Frontier Region of Darra Adamkhel on Wednesday.
Eight suspected militants were also held in raids on seminaries in Kohat district. Official sources said five militants, including an alleged mastermind of suicide bombings, were held in injured condition after an exchange of fire during a search operation in Sagiwal area of Darra Adamkhel. The government officials, however, did not disclose the name of the alleged mastermind of suicide bombings and other militants.
After giving required treatment to the arrested militants at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), the security forces shifted them to an undisclosed location for interrogation, the sources added.
The sources said the arrested militants were involved in an attack on a checkpoint in Zor Killay that had left two soldiers dead a couple of day ago. Six militants were rounded up elsewhere in Darra Adamkhel during the search and clearance operation, the sources said.
In Tekiwal area, the security forces blew up a house belonging to one Haya Khan Afridi, which was in the use of militants. The forces also targeted various hideouts of militants in the hills of Darra Adamkhel with heavy artillery. No casualty was, however, reported. Meanwhile, the security forces arrested eight militants during raids on two seminaries in Junglekhel and Bili Tang towns in Kohat.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
33 killed, 60 hurt in Kohat suicide attack
posted in news
Thirty-three people were killed and 60 others sustained injuries in a suicide car bombing in Katcha Pakha bazaar near here on Friday for which a little-known sectarian militant organisation, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al-Almi, claimed responsibility.
The explosion also brought down a two-storey hotel and about 25 nearby shops besides partially damaging other properties. The bomb went off at the busy intersection in Katcha Pakha bazaar in Astarzai union council area on the main Kohat-Hangu Road. The suicide bomber blew his double-cabin up at 10:00am when the small bazaar was thronged by shoppers.
It killed 33 people, majority of whom were buried under the debris of the hotel and shops that collapsed due to the impact of the explosion. Eyewitnesses said that human limbs were lying scattered at the place of the occurrence and some of the bodies were mutilated beyond recognition. They said besides the two-storey hotel, 25 shops razed to the ground and about 16 vehicles were destroyed. The blast caused an eight-foot deep and 12-foot wide crater on the roadside.
Maulana Rauf, chief of the shadowy Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al-Almi, said his organisation carried out the attack. He also warned of more attacks in future. It is believed that the group is linked to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi of Maulana Haq Nawaz.
The organisation has reportedly said that the attack was in revenge for the death of a prominent religious leader, Maulana Muhammad Amin, the chief of the Sunni Supreme Council and renowned religious scholar, who was killed when his house and Madrassa was bombed in Hangu in June.
NWFP Inspector General Police (IGP) Malik Naveed Khan told a private TV channel that the incident might be the reaction to the ongoing military operation against the militants in Hangu district and the bordering Orakzai tribal agency.
The Kohat police spokesman, Fazal Naeem, however, termed the incident part of the ongoing wave of militancy and said that a clean-up operation was already under way in the area. The residents of Astarzai waited long for machinery and rescue team to help lift the debris and pull bodies out of the rubble, but shovels could not reach the place till 5:00 pm. However, local people rescued some victims themselves.
The injured were rushed to the Kohat Development Authority (KDA), the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and the Astarzai hospital. The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Kohat Abdullah Khan and the district police officer (DPO) rushed to the site along with the bomb disposal squad and the Rescue 15 team. The police also recovered some body parts of the suicide bomber and sent them to the forensic laboratory in Peshawar for tests. The engine and some other parts of the double-cabin vehicle used in the suicide attack were taken into custody which may provide help in the investigation.
The bomb disposal squad said that 150 kgs of explosives were used in the blast. An enraged mob gathered at the site of the blast and pelted the police team with stones, damaging some of the police vehicles. However, Army personnel cordoned off the area and brought the situation under control.
The police officials said most of the bodies could not be identified because of the extent of the mutilations. Those identified were: Qayyum Ali, Zareen Khan, Iftikhar Hussain, Sher Muhammad Ishaq, Abdus Samad, Nihar Hussain, Dost Ali, Rahman Ali, Shakeel, Mujahid, Jameel and Saddat Ali. The injured included: Nazim Ali, Akram Ali, Arbab Ali, Sirat Ali, Said Muhammad, Taqi Hussain, Gul Hussain, Hamid Ali, Sharbat Khan, Gul Wali, Haider Hussain, Syed Inayat and Nushad Ali. The police also said that majority of the victims belonged to Katcha Pakha area.
Later, at the burial of one of the dead, Jameel, his rivals attacked the funeral and killed three members of his family in Boraka village. The cause of the incident was said to be old enmity. Meanwhile, NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti announced Rs 0.3 million, and Rs 100,000, respectively, for the deceased and injured.
Thirty-three people were killed and 60 others sustained injuries in a suicide car bombing in Katcha Pakha bazaar near here on Friday for which a little-known sectarian militant organisation, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al-Almi, claimed responsibility.
The explosion also brought down a two-storey hotel and about 25 nearby shops besides partially damaging other properties. The bomb went off at the busy intersection in Katcha Pakha bazaar in Astarzai union council area on the main Kohat-Hangu Road. The suicide bomber blew his double-cabin up at 10:00am when the small bazaar was thronged by shoppers.
It killed 33 people, majority of whom were buried under the debris of the hotel and shops that collapsed due to the impact of the explosion. Eyewitnesses said that human limbs were lying scattered at the place of the occurrence and some of the bodies were mutilated beyond recognition. They said besides the two-storey hotel, 25 shops razed to the ground and about 16 vehicles were destroyed. The blast caused an eight-foot deep and 12-foot wide crater on the roadside.
Maulana Rauf, chief of the shadowy Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al-Almi, said his organisation carried out the attack. He also warned of more attacks in future. It is believed that the group is linked to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi of Maulana Haq Nawaz.
The organisation has reportedly said that the attack was in revenge for the death of a prominent religious leader, Maulana Muhammad Amin, the chief of the Sunni Supreme Council and renowned religious scholar, who was killed when his house and Madrassa was bombed in Hangu in June.
NWFP Inspector General Police (IGP) Malik Naveed Khan told a private TV channel that the incident might be the reaction to the ongoing military operation against the militants in Hangu district and the bordering Orakzai tribal agency.
The Kohat police spokesman, Fazal Naeem, however, termed the incident part of the ongoing wave of militancy and said that a clean-up operation was already under way in the area. The residents of Astarzai waited long for machinery and rescue team to help lift the debris and pull bodies out of the rubble, but shovels could not reach the place till 5:00 pm. However, local people rescued some victims themselves.
The injured were rushed to the Kohat Development Authority (KDA), the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and the Astarzai hospital. The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Kohat Abdullah Khan and the district police officer (DPO) rushed to the site along with the bomb disposal squad and the Rescue 15 team. The police also recovered some body parts of the suicide bomber and sent them to the forensic laboratory in Peshawar for tests. The engine and some other parts of the double-cabin vehicle used in the suicide attack were taken into custody which may provide help in the investigation.
The bomb disposal squad said that 150 kgs of explosives were used in the blast. An enraged mob gathered at the site of the blast and pelted the police team with stones, damaging some of the police vehicles. However, Army personnel cordoned off the area and brought the situation under control.
The police officials said most of the bodies could not be identified because of the extent of the mutilations. Those identified were: Qayyum Ali, Zareen Khan, Iftikhar Hussain, Sher Muhammad Ishaq, Abdus Samad, Nihar Hussain, Dost Ali, Rahman Ali, Shakeel, Mujahid, Jameel and Saddat Ali. The injured included: Nazim Ali, Akram Ali, Arbab Ali, Sirat Ali, Said Muhammad, Taqi Hussain, Gul Hussain, Hamid Ali, Sharbat Khan, Gul Wali, Haider Hussain, Syed Inayat and Nushad Ali. The police also said that majority of the victims belonged to Katcha Pakha area.
Later, at the burial of one of the dead, Jameel, his rivals attacked the funeral and killed three members of his family in Boraka village. The cause of the incident was said to be old enmity. Meanwhile, NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti announced Rs 0.3 million, and Rs 100,000, respectively, for the deceased and injured.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Six Taliban camps destroyed in Hangu
posted in dawn
The security forces blew up six camps of Taliban after entering into Chappri Naryab area of Hangu district on Tuesday night.
The militants had re-entered the area after the last year’s operation and had enforced their style of Sharia in several towns and villages near Orakzai Agency. They had destroyed a private health centre in Kurt area, located at the border between Hangu and Kurram Agency on Monday night.
The security forces targeted the hideouts of militants on Kurram-Hangu border after the incident. The security forces had been using air force and artillery against militants in the area for the last three years. According to Taliban sources 120 militants were eliminated in the air strikes during the last month.
An eyewitness, privy to the activities of the Taliban in the area, said that suicide bombers were trained there and then dispatched to Punjab in vehicles loaded with explosives via Kohat-Mianwali road.
On Sunday, Mianwali police started patrolling Indus River after banning all commercial boat service between southern parts of NWFP and Punjab following reports that terrorists had been using it.
The security forces blew up six camps of Taliban after entering into Chappri Naryab area of Hangu district on Tuesday night.
The militants had re-entered the area after the last year’s operation and had enforced their style of Sharia in several towns and villages near Orakzai Agency. They had destroyed a private health centre in Kurt area, located at the border between Hangu and Kurram Agency on Monday night.
The security forces targeted the hideouts of militants on Kurram-Hangu border after the incident. The security forces had been using air force and artillery against militants in the area for the last three years. According to Taliban sources 120 militants were eliminated in the air strikes during the last month.
An eyewitness, privy to the activities of the Taliban in the area, said that suicide bombers were trained there and then dispatched to Punjab in vehicles loaded with explosives via Kohat-Mianwali road.
On Sunday, Mianwali police started patrolling Indus River after banning all commercial boat service between southern parts of NWFP and Punjab following reports that terrorists had been using it.
Rocket defused in Kohat
posted in dawn
The bomb disposal squad defused on Tuesday a rocket and 17 hand grenades, hurled by militants at two different police stations in the city on Monday night.
Police said that they found 17 hand grenades near Cantt police station on Tuesday morning. Similarly a rocket fired by militants at City police station failed to explode and was later defused by the bomb disposal squad in the small hours of Tuesday. The hand grenades were also destroyed by the bomb disposal squad.
Meanwhile, officials of Cantt, City and Jungle Khel police stations arrested six suspected militants during search operations and recovered ammunition including hand grenades and pistols from their possession.
The arrested persons were identified as Usman, Qasim Khan, Tanveer, Gul Jamal and Roshan Khan. Two hand grenades, six pistols and 1,000 cartridges were recovered from their possession.
They were handed over to special investigation team for interrogation after registration of cases against them in the respective police stations.
The bomb disposal squad defused on Tuesday a rocket and 17 hand grenades, hurled by militants at two different police stations in the city on Monday night.
Police said that they found 17 hand grenades near Cantt police station on Tuesday morning. Similarly a rocket fired by militants at City police station failed to explode and was later defused by the bomb disposal squad in the small hours of Tuesday. The hand grenades were also destroyed by the bomb disposal squad.
Meanwhile, officials of Cantt, City and Jungle Khel police stations arrested six suspected militants during search operations and recovered ammunition including hand grenades and pistols from their possession.
The arrested persons were identified as Usman, Qasim Khan, Tanveer, Gul Jamal and Roshan Khan. Two hand grenades, six pistols and 1,000 cartridges were recovered from their possession.
They were handed over to special investigation team for interrogation after registration of cases against them in the respective police stations.
TRIBAL ELDER HOUSE BLOWN UP
posted in dawn
Militants blew up the house of a tribal elder in the semi autonomous tribal area of district Kohat on Monday night.
Official sources said that militants had planted several bombs around the boundary wall of the house of Saeed Khan Afridi. The bombs exploded after midnight. Three rooms of the house were damaged in the blasts but the inmates remained safe miraculously.
Sources said that militants destroyed the house of tribal elder for helping the administration.
Militants blew up the house of a tribal elder in the semi autonomous tribal area of district Kohat on Monday night.
Official sources said that militants had planted several bombs around the boundary wall of the house of Saeed Khan Afridi. The bombs exploded after midnight. Three rooms of the house were damaged in the blasts but the inmates remained safe miraculously.
Sources said that militants destroyed the house of tribal elder for helping the administration.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Kidnapped person released
posted in dawn
An official of revenue department reached home on Monday after remaining in the captivity of Taliban for two months.
The naib tehsildar, Musaddiq Hussain, was kidnapped from Hangu-Thall road at gunpoint and his release was made possible as a result of a deal after long negotiations with Taliban, sources said.
An official of revenue department reached home on Monday after remaining in the captivity of Taliban for two months.
The naib tehsildar, Musaddiq Hussain, was kidnapped from Hangu-Thall road at gunpoint and his release was made possible as a result of a deal after long negotiations with Taliban, sources said.
Smuggling control through Checkpost
posted in dawn
The authorities approved on Monday establishment of two police checkposts to control smuggling of sugar and flour to Afghanistan via tribal areas.
A meeting chaired by District Coordination Officer Siraj Ahmed decided that two police checkposts would be set up at Kaghazai and Sumari to control smuggling of sugar and flour to Afghanistan. The policemen deployed at the checkposts would be authorised to seize the commodities being smuggled to the neighbouring country.
The meeting discussed availability of essential food items at controlled rates in the bazaars and constituted three monitoring committees to stop smuggling and take action against hoarders and profiteers.
The DCO said that transportation of sugar and flour would not be checked at any other checkpost unless permitted by the higher authorities as the commodities were also being provided to Hangu and Orakzai Agency through the same routes.
He directed the officials to remain in touch with the management of Farooq Flour Mills, Javed Flour Mills and Zahid Flour Mills for the distribution of flour in the three constituencies of Kohat district.
The authorities approved on Monday establishment of two police checkposts to control smuggling of sugar and flour to Afghanistan via tribal areas.
A meeting chaired by District Coordination Officer Siraj Ahmed decided that two police checkposts would be set up at Kaghazai and Sumari to control smuggling of sugar and flour to Afghanistan. The policemen deployed at the checkposts would be authorised to seize the commodities being smuggled to the neighbouring country.
The meeting discussed availability of essential food items at controlled rates in the bazaars and constituted three monitoring committees to stop smuggling and take action against hoarders and profiteers.
The DCO said that transportation of sugar and flour would not be checked at any other checkpost unless permitted by the higher authorities as the commodities were also being provided to Hangu and Orakzai Agency through the same routes.
He directed the officials to remain in touch with the management of Farooq Flour Mills, Javed Flour Mills and Zahid Flour Mills for the distribution of flour in the three constituencies of Kohat district.
Hangu blast injures union council nazim
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A union council nazim was injured when a remote controlled explosive device hit his car on Thall road in Hangu on Monday.
Police said that the nazim, Shafiqur Rehman, was on his way home when his car was targeted near the Tableeghi Markaz on Thall road. The nazim sustained minor injuries in the remote controlled blast while his car was badly damaged.
Shafiqur Rehman is son of former provincial minister Ghaniur Rehman and brother of sitting MPA Atiqueur Rehman.
Hangu police have registered a case against unidentified terrorists and started investigations on the complaint of the nazim.
His father had escaped three attempts on his life in the past and he nominated some militant leaders in the FIR saying they wanted to kill him.
A union council nazim was injured when a remote controlled explosive device hit his car on Thall road in Hangu on Monday.
Police said that the nazim, Shafiqur Rehman, was on his way home when his car was targeted near the Tableeghi Markaz on Thall road. The nazim sustained minor injuries in the remote controlled blast while his car was badly damaged.
Shafiqur Rehman is son of former provincial minister Ghaniur Rehman and brother of sitting MPA Atiqueur Rehman.
Hangu police have registered a case against unidentified terrorists and started investigations on the complaint of the nazim.
His father had escaped three attempts on his life in the past and he nominated some militant leaders in the FIR saying they wanted to kill him.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
NWFP minister’s father injured Driver killed in attack
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KOHAT: The central finance secretary of the Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP), Malik Shameem Afridi, was injured in an assassination bid while his driver was killed on the spot and brother got wounded in the incident on Tuesday.
The sources said that Malik Shameem, father of NWFP Housing Minister Malik Amjad Afridi and Senator Malik Abbas Afridi of the Awami National Party, was heading for his home located in the Babari Banda when unidentified assailants sprayed his car with bullets in the Belytang area.
The assailants, who were following the JWP leader’s vehicle in their car, escaped towards the tribal area after committing the crime.In the firing, Malik Shameem and his brother Said Zaman sustained multiple injuries while driver Zeeshan was killed on the spot.
After the incident, the district police headed by DIG Kohat Abdullah Khan and DPO Delawer Khan Bangash reached the scene of the crime.
The area around the tribal part of the locality was cordoned off while a search operation was launched with the assistance of political administration in Bazidkhel, Shin Dhand and Ziarat Sheikh Alladad.
KOHAT: The central finance secretary of the Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP), Malik Shameem Afridi, was injured in an assassination bid while his driver was killed on the spot and brother got wounded in the incident on Tuesday.
The sources said that Malik Shameem, father of NWFP Housing Minister Malik Amjad Afridi and Senator Malik Abbas Afridi of the Awami National Party, was heading for his home located in the Babari Banda when unidentified assailants sprayed his car with bullets in the Belytang area.
The assailants, who were following the JWP leader’s vehicle in their car, escaped towards the tribal area after committing the crime.In the firing, Malik Shameem and his brother Said Zaman sustained multiple injuries while driver Zeeshan was killed on the spot.
After the incident, the district police headed by DIG Kohat Abdullah Khan and DPO Delawer Khan Bangash reached the scene of the crime.
The area around the tribal part of the locality was cordoned off while a search operation was launched with the assistance of political administration in Bazidkhel, Shin Dhand and Ziarat Sheikh Alladad.
Training camp destroyed
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Nine militants were killed and three others injured when fighter jets destroyed a large camp of the proscribed Tehrik- i-Taliban Pakistan in lower Orakzai Agency on Tuesday.
According to officials, security forces had received information about movement of some TTP activists in the area.
They had also been informed that suicide bombers were being trained there. The camp was located in the Said Haleem Baba area of Chappri Ferozekhel.
Nine militants were killed and three others injured when fighter jets destroyed a large camp of the proscribed Tehrik- i-Taliban Pakistan in lower Orakzai Agency on Tuesday.
According to officials, security forces had received information about movement of some TTP activists in the area.
They had also been informed that suicide bombers were being trained there. The camp was located in the Said Haleem Baba area of Chappri Ferozekhel.
Friday, September 4, 2009
SHO suspended in murder case
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The station house officer (SHO) of Banda Daud Shah Police Station was suspended in a recent incident of police firing on protestors and a case was registered against him Thursday.
Sources said that District Police Officer Danishwar Khan suspended the SHO Inayat Ali Amjad and ordered registration of a case against him. A man was killed and eight others injured during a protest demo recently when police opened fire to disperse the anti-loadshedding protesters.
On the application of family of the deceased, an FIR was registered against the SHO of Banda Daud Shah Police Station. Inayat Ali Amjad has been transferred to Karak Police Lines while SHO Karak Noor Muhammad has been posted at Banda Daud Shah.
The station house officer (SHO) of Banda Daud Shah Police Station was suspended in a recent incident of police firing on protestors and a case was registered against him Thursday.
Sources said that District Police Officer Danishwar Khan suspended the SHO Inayat Ali Amjad and ordered registration of a case against him. A man was killed and eight others injured during a protest demo recently when police opened fire to disperse the anti-loadshedding protesters.
On the application of family of the deceased, an FIR was registered against the SHO of Banda Daud Shah Police Station. Inayat Ali Amjad has been transferred to Karak Police Lines while SHO Karak Noor Muhammad has been posted at Banda Daud Shah.
Stoppage of Zakat funds to affect masses in Karak
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The federal government has stopped Zakat funds and it would affect millions of the underprivileged in the province, District Zakat Committee Chairman Muhammad Ilyas Khattak said Thursday.
Talking to The News, Ilyas Khattak said the government decision would affect thousands of the poor in the city. He said Zakat fund was usually issued twice a year. He said that on the one hand the federal government was earmarking billions of rupees to Benazir Income Support Programme while on the other hand Zakat funds have been stopped. He demanded of the federal government to release the Eid, ‘Guzara’ and rehabilitation allowances before Eidul Fitr to poor people.
Meanwhile, Zakat committee held a meeting, which condemned the decision of the federal government to stop issuance of Zakat funds. The participants of the meeting threatened to tender their resignations if the government did not release Zakat funds in the holy month of Ramazan.
The federal government has stopped Zakat funds and it would affect millions of the underprivileged in the province, District Zakat Committee Chairman Muhammad Ilyas Khattak said Thursday.
Talking to The News, Ilyas Khattak said the government decision would affect thousands of the poor in the city. He said Zakat fund was usually issued twice a year. He said that on the one hand the federal government was earmarking billions of rupees to Benazir Income Support Programme while on the other hand Zakat funds have been stopped. He demanded of the federal government to release the Eid, ‘Guzara’ and rehabilitation allowances before Eidul Fitr to poor people.
Meanwhile, Zakat committee held a meeting, which condemned the decision of the federal government to stop issuance of Zakat funds. The participants of the meeting threatened to tender their resignations if the government did not release Zakat funds in the holy month of Ramazan.
Bombs damage 18 shops in Kohat
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At least 18 shops were damaged when bombs planted near two CDs shops exploded in the old Lorry Adda on Thursday. Sources said a bomb explosion completely destroyed Momin Ijaz CDs shop. The blast was so powerful that 10 other shops were also damaged. A 5kg bomb planted near another CDs shop in the same area destroyed eight more shops. The sources said militants had threatened the owners of the music shops to wind up their business.
At least 18 shops were damaged when bombs planted near two CDs shops exploded in the old Lorry Adda on Thursday. Sources said a bomb explosion completely destroyed Momin Ijaz CDs shop. The blast was so powerful that 10 other shops were also damaged. A 5kg bomb planted near another CDs shop in the same area destroyed eight more shops. The sources said militants had threatened the owners of the music shops to wind up their business.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Blast injures four welfare body members
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Four members of the Mohammadzai Welfare Organisation were injured in a bomb blast in the mountains on the Orakzai Agency border with Kohat on Friday.
Activists of the organisation were on routine patrol against activities of drug smugglers when the bomb planted on their route exploded.
The injured, Gulistan, Samiullah, Azmat Khan and Dilnawaz, were taken to the KDA divisional hospital.
The Cantonment police station registered an FIR against unidentified people.
Four members of the Mohammadzai Welfare Organisation were injured in a bomb blast in the mountains on the Orakzai Agency border with Kohat on Friday.
Activists of the organisation were on routine patrol against activities of drug smugglers when the bomb planted on their route exploded.
The injured, Gulistan, Samiullah, Azmat Khan and Dilnawaz, were taken to the KDA divisional hospital.
The Cantonment police station registered an FIR against unidentified people.
Alleged militant killed along accomplices
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An alleged militant and his two accomplices were killed when unidentified people opened fire on them in the Hangu district on Friday. Sources said Malangay and his two companions were going on a motorcycle in the Mohammad Khwaja area when they were attacked.
An alleged militant and his two accomplices were killed when unidentified people opened fire on them in the Hangu district on Friday. Sources said Malangay and his two companions were going on a motorcycle in the Mohammad Khwaja area when they were attacked.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Two killed as rivalstrade fire in Kohat
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Two persons were killed when rival groups traded fire in Jungle Khel area here on Monday.
Police said that armed clash took place at Katta Kanri area between old enemies belonging to Jungle Khel and Garhi Dhodewal.
The rival groups came face to face and opened fire at each other. Mohammad Sharif of Dhodewal was killed on the spot in the clash whereas Mohammad Zakir succumbed to his injuries on way to hospital. Police registered murder cases in cross FIR against Rehmat Gul, Sahib Gul, residents of Garhi Dhodewal and Jehangir and Nasir Khan of Jungle Khel. All the accused managed to escape from the scene after committing the crime.
Two persons were killed when rival groups traded fire in Jungle Khel area here on Monday.
Police said that armed clash took place at Katta Kanri area between old enemies belonging to Jungle Khel and Garhi Dhodewal.
The rival groups came face to face and opened fire at each other. Mohammad Sharif of Dhodewal was killed on the spot in the clash whereas Mohammad Zakir succumbed to his injuries on way to hospital. Police registered murder cases in cross FIR against Rehmat Gul, Sahib Gul, residents of Garhi Dhodewal and Jehangir and Nasir Khan of Jungle Khel. All the accused managed to escape from the scene after committing the crime.
Shop Blown up in Kohat Cantonment
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A man was injured when militants blew up a shop owned by the owner a cable network in Cantonment Market on Monday night.Officials said that terrorists had planted a heavy explosive device outside the shop which exploded with a big bang around 10.15pm when Taraweeh were being offered in the mosques.
The owner of the shop also runs World Cable Network with its office at the first floor of the same market. Its transmissions cover the whole cantonment area.
The Rescue 15 squad along with the bomb disposal squad reached the scene and cordoned off the whole area.
The injured person identified as Riaz was immediately shifted to a hospital for treatment. The windowpanes and doors of many other shops were also partially damaged in the blast.
A man was injured when militants blew up a shop owned by the owner a cable network in Cantonment Market on Monday night.Officials said that terrorists had planted a heavy explosive device outside the shop which exploded with a big bang around 10.15pm when Taraweeh were being offered in the mosques.
The owner of the shop also runs World Cable Network with its office at the first floor of the same market. Its transmissions cover the whole cantonment area.
The Rescue 15 squad along with the bomb disposal squad reached the scene and cordoned off the whole area.
The injured person identified as Riaz was immediately shifted to a hospital for treatment. The windowpanes and doors of many other shops were also partially damaged in the blast.
Kidnapped people released
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PARACHINAR: A tribal jirga secured the release of 13 tribesmen, who were taken hostage several months ago by the rival tribe, in Kurram Agency, sources said on Monday. Sources said that the tribesmen were handed over to the jirga in Balishkhel area after successful talks with the rival tribes. Seven of the released men belonged to Turi tribe, while six hailed from Bangash Mangal tribe.
PARACHINAR: A tribal jirga secured the release of 13 tribesmen, who were taken hostage several months ago by the rival tribe, in Kurram Agency, sources said on Monday. Sources said that the tribesmen were handed over to the jirga in Balishkhel area after successful talks with the rival tribes. Seven of the released men belonged to Turi tribe, while six hailed from Bangash Mangal tribe.
Monday, August 24, 2009
2 Afghans among eight arrested
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Police claimed to have arrested eight suspected persons, including two Afghans, in a search operation carried out in various parts of the district on Sunday. Official sources said the police raided various places, including Oblan, Ghumkol, Jarma, Chichna, Kot, Tugh and Bilitang and arrested eight persons including two Afghans identified as Razi Gul and Habibullah. A Kalashnikov rifle, five other rifles, four pistols and several cartridges were also recovered.
Police claimed to have arrested eight suspected persons, including two Afghans, in a search operation carried out in various parts of the district on Sunday. Official sources said the police raided various places, including Oblan, Ghumkol, Jarma, Chichna, Kot, Tugh and Bilitang and arrested eight persons including two Afghans identified as Razi Gul and Habibullah. A Kalashnikov rifle, five other rifles, four pistols and several cartridges were also recovered.
Security agencies: whither professionalism?
posted in dawn
MANY clues, which could have led security agencies to reach the mastermind of the suicide bombers, had been lost when the house, where a suicide bomber was killed, was handed over to the owners soon after the incident.
A visit to the house by this correspondent, on the morning of the second day, where the suicide bomber was killed on Friday, revealed that the debris in the room was lying, which was a clear proof of the inefficiency of the intelligence agencies and bomb disposal squad.
No attempt had been made to take all of it for investigation. Because the bomb disposal squad and the investigating police and army officers had reportedly no facility of search lights even to find out body parts of the bomber.
They were using dim lights of their mobile phones in the dark. It was Thursday evening and the light of the house had been cut off after the hand-grenade attack and blast. So it was not possible for them to find any clue.
The police also let the people of the area to enter the house which was again against the principles of investigations. The family, which owned the house, was removing the debris which was in fact the responsibility of the investigators.
Before realising the importance of the scene of crime, the officials had handed over the house to the owners just after the incident missing all important clues. Although there were more chances to find the chip and other evidences because after the huge blast, many articles in the room were still intact even major part of the black shirt of the bomber had also been found.The police and intelligence department officials, who claimed that they talked to the suicide bomber and engaged him for three long hours on cellphone, did not make any effort even to find out the SIM of his mobile set from the debris.
The bomber called his three associates and before removing his jacket asked somebody that as he had missed his target, so can he ram into the police and blow himself up. The intelligence agencies, despite having state of the art gadgets to trace the calls, failed to record his conversation and identity the number which he had called for hours for help.
It is important to note that the suicide bomber who fluently spoke, Pashto, Urdu and Punjabi while talking in the last minutes of the blast was shot by a policeman when he removed the jacket and was holding it in his hands.
The senior officials and policeman who killed the suicide bomber requested Dawn that the name of the shooter was not being disclosed to the media because he could easily become target of the militants.
He is a low ranking official and was very close to the bomber while trying to convince him to surrender. He told this scribe immediately after the operation, when the bombers removed jackets in such situations, it meant that he wanted to carry out the blast. Therefore, he was killed at that time.
The official privy to the movement of the suicide bomber, before trapped inside a house in the Kohat main bazaar, said that a local young man with beard was guiding him to take him to the target. But soon after noticing the presence of police, ran away from the bazaar which had been sealed.
MANY clues, which could have led security agencies to reach the mastermind of the suicide bombers, had been lost when the house, where a suicide bomber was killed, was handed over to the owners soon after the incident.
A visit to the house by this correspondent, on the morning of the second day, where the suicide bomber was killed on Friday, revealed that the debris in the room was lying, which was a clear proof of the inefficiency of the intelligence agencies and bomb disposal squad.
No attempt had been made to take all of it for investigation. Because the bomb disposal squad and the investigating police and army officers had reportedly no facility of search lights even to find out body parts of the bomber.
They were using dim lights of their mobile phones in the dark. It was Thursday evening and the light of the house had been cut off after the hand-grenade attack and blast. So it was not possible for them to find any clue.
The police also let the people of the area to enter the house which was again against the principles of investigations. The family, which owned the house, was removing the debris which was in fact the responsibility of the investigators.
Before realising the importance of the scene of crime, the officials had handed over the house to the owners just after the incident missing all important clues. Although there were more chances to find the chip and other evidences because after the huge blast, many articles in the room were still intact even major part of the black shirt of the bomber had also been found.The police and intelligence department officials, who claimed that they talked to the suicide bomber and engaged him for three long hours on cellphone, did not make any effort even to find out the SIM of his mobile set from the debris.
The bomber called his three associates and before removing his jacket asked somebody that as he had missed his target, so can he ram into the police and blow himself up. The intelligence agencies, despite having state of the art gadgets to trace the calls, failed to record his conversation and identity the number which he had called for hours for help.
It is important to note that the suicide bomber who fluently spoke, Pashto, Urdu and Punjabi while talking in the last minutes of the blast was shot by a policeman when he removed the jacket and was holding it in his hands.
The senior officials and policeman who killed the suicide bomber requested Dawn that the name of the shooter was not being disclosed to the media because he could easily become target of the militants.
He is a low ranking official and was very close to the bomber while trying to convince him to surrender. He told this scribe immediately after the operation, when the bombers removed jackets in such situations, it meant that he wanted to carry out the blast. Therefore, he was killed at that time.
The official privy to the movement of the suicide bomber, before trapped inside a house in the Kohat main bazaar, said that a local young man with beard was guiding him to take him to the target. But soon after noticing the presence of police, ran away from the bazaar which had been sealed.
Monday, August 17, 2009
17 arrested after rocket attacks on Kohat cantt
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Five militants and 12 suspects were arrested on Sunday from western parts of the district following a rocket attack on the cantonment area, police said.
A rocket fired at the Kohat Cantonment landed in Bahawalnagar and partially damaged the house of Farhan. The inmates of the house escaped unhurt.
For the past one week the militants had been firing rockets into the city from Bezote area of Orakzai Agency. District Police Officer Dilawar Khan Bangash ordered a search operation after a recent attack. It was conducted in Ustarzai, Ublan, Ghamkol camp, Banda Fateh Khan, Kamal Khel, Tappi and Merozai.
At least five militants belonging to a banned religious organisation and 12 suspects were arrested along with weapons and drugs, according to a press release issued by the police media cell.
It quoted DPO Bangash as saying that most of the suspects were wanted in heinous crimes.
The seizure included three Kalashnikovs, five Kalakovs, seven pistols, two rifles, hundreds of cartridges, 50 bottles of liquor and one and a half kilogram of hashish.
The suspects were handed over to special investigation teams for interrogation.
Five militants and 12 suspects were arrested on Sunday from western parts of the district following a rocket attack on the cantonment area, police said.
A rocket fired at the Kohat Cantonment landed in Bahawalnagar and partially damaged the house of Farhan. The inmates of the house escaped unhurt.
For the past one week the militants had been firing rockets into the city from Bezote area of Orakzai Agency. District Police Officer Dilawar Khan Bangash ordered a search operation after a recent attack. It was conducted in Ustarzai, Ublan, Ghamkol camp, Banda Fateh Khan, Kamal Khel, Tappi and Merozai.
At least five militants belonging to a banned religious organisation and 12 suspects were arrested along with weapons and drugs, according to a press release issued by the police media cell.
It quoted DPO Bangash as saying that most of the suspects were wanted in heinous crimes.
The seizure included three Kalashnikovs, five Kalakovs, seven pistols, two rifles, hundreds of cartridges, 50 bottles of liquor and one and a half kilogram of hashish.
The suspects were handed over to special investigation teams for interrogation.
BAN ON SUGAR MOVEMENT FROM KOHAT
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The district coordination officer on Sunday imposed ban on movement of sugar to other districts and its export to Afghanistan to ensure availability of required stocks of the commodity during Ramazan.
He also constituted a special committee to keep an eye on the movement and sale of sugar in the market and register cases against the violators of ban under section 3 MPO.
The assistant coordination officer, assistant food controller and SHO city are members of the committee. They would also check the distribution of sugar in the district by the wholesale dealers.
The district coordination officer on Sunday imposed ban on movement of sugar to other districts and its export to Afghanistan to ensure availability of required stocks of the commodity during Ramazan.
He also constituted a special committee to keep an eye on the movement and sale of sugar in the market and register cases against the violators of ban under section 3 MPO.
The assistant coordination officer, assistant food controller and SHO city are members of the committee. They would also check the distribution of sugar in the district by the wholesale dealers.
Protestor Blocked Indus Highway
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Hundreds of protesters blocked Indus Highway in Lachi tehsil of Kohat district on Sunday against power loadshedding and water shortage in the area.
The protesters marched through the bazaar and held a protest meeting near town committee.
Addressing the protesters, former nazim Fawad Khan and naib nazim Samar Gul criticised Peshawar Electric Supply Company for delaying installation of high power transformer at the Lachi grid station which was burnt two months ago.
Hundreds of protesters blocked Indus Highway in Lachi tehsil of Kohat district on Sunday against power loadshedding and water shortage in the area.
The protesters marched through the bazaar and held a protest meeting near town committee.
Addressing the protesters, former nazim Fawad Khan and naib nazim Samar Gul criticised Peshawar Electric Supply Company for delaying installation of high power transformer at the Lachi grid station which was burnt two months ago.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Militants fire rocket at Kohat
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KOHAT: The militants Wednesday fired a rocket from Darra Adamkhel, which landed in Mir Ahmadkhel area. The sources said after the incident the security forces targeted various hideouts of the militants in Bustikhel area with artillery and gunship helicopters, however, there was no word on loss of life.
KOHAT: The militants Wednesday fired a rocket from Darra Adamkhel, which landed in Mir Ahmadkhel area. The sources said after the incident the security forces targeted various hideouts of the militants in Bustikhel area with artillery and gunship helicopters, however, there was no word on loss of life.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Hakeemullah’s followers in Orakzai clash; 21 killed
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About 21 militants were killed in clashes between two groups of Taliban for gaining full control of Aakhel area of upper Orakzai Agency on Tuesday. The fighting continued till late night.
Both the groups are said to be loyal to top Taliban leader Hakeemullah Mehsud. The clash broke out when men of commander Ziaur Rehman refused to let their vehicles checked at a post controlled by men of commander Sakhi Hafiz.
It is said that there was an agreement between commanders that members of one group entering the area of the other would be checked for security reasons. Orakzai Agency’s officials said the real issue was of control of the area, adding that the clashes had made the people fearful of their security.
Independent sources said that both Sakhi Hafiz and Ziaur Rehman wanted to control the Aakhel checkpost, claiming that it was in their territory.
Sakhi’s men attacked the rivals with heavy weapons to punish them for refusing to stop for checking. The Ziaur Rehman group retaliated with an attack on the men of Sakhi Hafiz who were going to Ghiljo. Nine militants, including Sakhi’s brother Asad Hafiz and uncle Yahya Hafiz, were killed. They were burned to death in their vehicles.
The militants belonging to other groups and the Tehrik-i-Taliban Darra Adamkhel have announced their support for Sakhi Hafiz and are using heavy weapons against the Zia group.
The de facto chief of the TTP, Hakeemullah Mehsud, who left Orakzai Agency three months ago for South Waziristan, has asked his commanders to stop fighting.
About 21 militants were killed in clashes between two groups of Taliban for gaining full control of Aakhel area of upper Orakzai Agency on Tuesday. The fighting continued till late night.
Both the groups are said to be loyal to top Taliban leader Hakeemullah Mehsud. The clash broke out when men of commander Ziaur Rehman refused to let their vehicles checked at a post controlled by men of commander Sakhi Hafiz.
It is said that there was an agreement between commanders that members of one group entering the area of the other would be checked for security reasons. Orakzai Agency’s officials said the real issue was of control of the area, adding that the clashes had made the people fearful of their security.
Independent sources said that both Sakhi Hafiz and Ziaur Rehman wanted to control the Aakhel checkpost, claiming that it was in their territory.
Sakhi’s men attacked the rivals with heavy weapons to punish them for refusing to stop for checking. The Ziaur Rehman group retaliated with an attack on the men of Sakhi Hafiz who were going to Ghiljo. Nine militants, including Sakhi’s brother Asad Hafiz and uncle Yahya Hafiz, were killed. They were burned to death in their vehicles.
The militants belonging to other groups and the Tehrik-i-Taliban Darra Adamkhel have announced their support for Sakhi Hafiz and are using heavy weapons against the Zia group.
The de facto chief of the TTP, Hakeemullah Mehsud, who left Orakzai Agency three months ago for South Waziristan, has asked his commanders to stop fighting.
60 suspects arrested in Kohat
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Sixty suspected militants, including 16 foreigners, were arrested during search operation by security forces here Tuesday.
The sources said Pakistan Army along with local police arrested 57 suspects along 16 foreigners during raids in various areas of the district.Meanwhile, the Hangu police and Frontier Corps (FC) in a joint operation arrested three militants, including an important commander of the Baitullah-led banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan from various areas on Tuesday.
Acting on a tip-off, the quick response unit comprising of Hangu police and FC soldiers raided the house of a militant commander Niamatullah in Bagto area and arrested him. The commander was wanted to police in various cases of kidnapping for ransom and attacks on security forces.
The policemen and FC soldiers carried out a joint search operation in Doaba, Sangerh, Karbogha and Togh Sarai and rounded up two wanted criminals Muhammad Yaseen and Rasool Khan.
Sixty suspected militants, including 16 foreigners, were arrested during search operation by security forces here Tuesday.
The sources said Pakistan Army along with local police arrested 57 suspects along 16 foreigners during raids in various areas of the district.Meanwhile, the Hangu police and Frontier Corps (FC) in a joint operation arrested three militants, including an important commander of the Baitullah-led banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan from various areas on Tuesday.
Acting on a tip-off, the quick response unit comprising of Hangu police and FC soldiers raided the house of a militant commander Niamatullah in Bagto area and arrested him. The commander was wanted to police in various cases of kidnapping for ransom and attacks on security forces.
The policemen and FC soldiers carried out a joint search operation in Doaba, Sangerh, Karbogha and Togh Sarai and rounded up two wanted criminals Muhammad Yaseen and Rasool Khan.
Monday, August 10, 2009
One shot dead in Karak
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A man was killed over a land dispute in Takht Nusrati tehsil here on Saturday. Hospital sources said Muhammad Junaid, resident of Marghali near Alamsherri, was shot by his rivals and he succumbed to injuries on way to hospital.
A man was killed over a land dispute in Takht Nusrati tehsil here on Saturday. Hospital sources said Muhammad Junaid, resident of Marghali near Alamsherri, was shot by his rivals and he succumbed to injuries on way to hospital.
Orakzai TTP not to attack forces during Ramazan
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The Orakzai Agency chapter of banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Saturday said the TTP in the area would not attack the security forces and government installations during Ramazan. “We will not attack the security forces during the holy month and the fighters have been asked to exercise restraint,” said a spokesman for the Darra Adamkel militants by telephone. He said their ‘Shariah courts’ would also not register new cases during the month. The sources said the outlawed TTP had established four such courts in the Ferozkhel, Meshti, Dabori and Ghaljo areas of Orakzai Agency. The TTP sources said their Islamic courts in the four areas would not register new cases while the old ones would be decided.
The Orakzai Agency chapter of banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Saturday said the TTP in the area would not attack the security forces and government installations during Ramazan. “We will not attack the security forces during the holy month and the fighters have been asked to exercise restraint,” said a spokesman for the Darra Adamkel militants by telephone. He said their ‘Shariah courts’ would also not register new cases during the month. The sources said the outlawed TTP had established four such courts in the Ferozkhel, Meshti, Dabori and Ghaljo areas of Orakzai Agency. The TTP sources said their Islamic courts in the four areas would not register new cases while the old ones would be decided.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Power supply to Kohat suspended
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Power supply to various areas in the district and surrounding areas disrupted due to a technical fault in the main grid station located on Rawalpindi Road here Friday. The affected areas included Kohat city, Kharmatu, Khushal Darra, Sleeper factory, Bostikhel in Darra Admakhel and Alizai. The XEN of Wapda told The News that the power supply would be restored in two days.
Power supply to various areas in the district and surrounding areas disrupted due to a technical fault in the main grid station located on Rawalpindi Road here Friday. The affected areas included Kohat city, Kharmatu, Khushal Darra, Sleeper factory, Bostikhel in Darra Admakhel and Alizai. The XEN of Wapda told The News that the power supply would be restored in two days.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
12 militants arrested in Hangu, Kohat
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Twelve militants belonging to Waziristan and Afghanistan were arrested along with huge cache of arms and ammunition during search operations in Hangu and Kohat districts, police said on Wednesday.
Quoting DIG Abdullah Khan, Kohat Police Media Cell said that a search operation was launched in the city area of Thall tehsil of Hangu district on a tip off that militants were hiding there.
During raids at different places, militants belonging to North and South Waziristan agencies and Khost province of Afghanistan were arrested, it added. The arrested militants were shifted to special investigation cell in Thall.
Police said that interrogation report was awaited on the basis of which arrest of more militants was expected. More than 29 security officials and seven policemen had been killed in suicide attacks and blasts at army convoys and police mobiles during the last two months in Hangu district.
Police also recovered heavy arms and ammunition from their possession.
Similarly, an operation was launched in Sumari area, in the south of Kohat. Several militants were arrested during the operation. The arrested militants were shifted to Kohat for further investigations.
Twelve militants belonging to Waziristan and Afghanistan were arrested along with huge cache of arms and ammunition during search operations in Hangu and Kohat districts, police said on Wednesday.
Quoting DIG Abdullah Khan, Kohat Police Media Cell said that a search operation was launched in the city area of Thall tehsil of Hangu district on a tip off that militants were hiding there.
During raids at different places, militants belonging to North and South Waziristan agencies and Khost province of Afghanistan were arrested, it added. The arrested militants were shifted to special investigation cell in Thall.
Police said that interrogation report was awaited on the basis of which arrest of more militants was expected. More than 29 security officials and seven policemen had been killed in suicide attacks and blasts at army convoys and police mobiles during the last two months in Hangu district.
Police also recovered heavy arms and ammunition from their possession.
Similarly, an operation was launched in Sumari area, in the south of Kohat. Several militants were arrested during the operation. The arrested militants were shifted to Kohat for further investigations.
Woman killed in Jungle Khel Kohat
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A young man allegedly killed his mother over money dispute in Jungle Khel area on Wednesday.Bashir Khan, the husband of the woman, told police that his son, Tanveer Ahmed, demanded money from his mother. She refused to pay him which infuriated him and he killed his mother by firing with a pistol, he added. He said that Tanveer managed to escape after the incident.
A young man allegedly killed his mother over money dispute in Jungle Khel area on Wednesday.Bashir Khan, the husband of the woman, told police that his son, Tanveer Ahmed, demanded money from his mother. She refused to pay him which infuriated him and he killed his mother by firing with a pistol, he added. He said that Tanveer managed to escape after the incident.
Two Boys were drowned in Kohat
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Two boys were drowned in a pond while beating the sizzling heat in Hafizabad area on Wednesday.
Police said that two boys, Abu Bakr and Tufail Suleman, ten years old, were drowned while swimming in a pond.
People learnt about the incident when their dead bodies came on the surface of the water. Their bodies were shifted to KDA hospital for autopsy.
Two boys were drowned in a pond while beating the sizzling heat in Hafizabad area on Wednesday.
Police said that two boys, Abu Bakr and Tufail Suleman, ten years old, were drowned while swimming in a pond.
People learnt about the incident when their dead bodies came on the surface of the water. Their bodies were shifted to KDA hospital for autopsy.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Karak JI general secretary resigns
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The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) district chapter general secretary tendered resignation here Wednesday after cracks appeared in the ranks of the party. The party sources said a meeting was held at Shmashakki with its District President Maulana Tasleem Iqbal in the chair, which was attended by all members of the district executive council. The general secretary, Muhammad Zahoor, tendered his resignation, saying that he could not keep the office any more due to personal reasons.
The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) district chapter general secretary tendered resignation here Wednesday after cracks appeared in the ranks of the party. The party sources said a meeting was held at Shmashakki with its District President Maulana Tasleem Iqbal in the chair, which was attended by all members of the district executive council. The general secretary, Muhammad Zahoor, tendered his resignation, saying that he could not keep the office any more due to personal reasons.
14 suspects arrested in Kohat
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Security forces arrested 14 suspected persons, including a militant commander, in a search operation in Kohat city on Wednesday. The security forces sources said the arrested militant commander was identified as Abdur Razzaq.
Security forces arrested 14 suspected persons, including a militant commander, in a search operation in Kohat city on Wednesday. The security forces sources said the arrested militant commander was identified as Abdur Razzaq.
Monday, July 27, 2009
20 militants held, four officials freed in Kohat
posted in dawn
KOHAT, July 26: Security forces arrested 20 militants belonging to banned religious outfits during an operation and secured release of four government officials here on Sunday.
According to sources, the militants were involved in terrorist activities and had links with the Taliban. The forces arrested four militants from Teerah Bazaar and sixteen from different parts of the main bazaar. They belonged to the banned Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan and Jaish-i-Mohammad.
The militants were pushed into army vehicles with tinted glasses and whisked away to the joint investigation centre after a 50-minute quick operation.
Heavily armed security personnel swiftly entered the main bazaar during rush hours and sealed the Tehsil Square which leads to Teerah and other bazaars, and different residential areas. People from the tribal areas and remote parts of the district stay in the Teerah Bazaar hotels mostly.
Officials said that the raids were conducted on the information that extremist elements were planning bomb attacks on the police and army in the district. They accused were also involved in cases of kidnapping and had targeted non-governmental organisations and girl schools in the region.
The militants were reportedly bomb-making experts. They were involved in targeting security forces.
Before the operation in the city, the police officials were reportedly not taken into confidence. Panic gripped the city on the occasion. It was the second incident when security forces didn’t take help of the police department during operation against militants.
“The only reason to act so secretly is to avoid leakage of information,” an official said, adding that the operations on both occasions were successful.
Meanwhile, in Lachi town, security forces safely released four government officials from the hideouts of the Taliban after intense battle followed by arrest of the militants
KOHAT, July 26: Security forces arrested 20 militants belonging to banned religious outfits during an operation and secured release of four government officials here on Sunday.
According to sources, the militants were involved in terrorist activities and had links with the Taliban. The forces arrested four militants from Teerah Bazaar and sixteen from different parts of the main bazaar. They belonged to the banned Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan and Jaish-i-Mohammad.
The militants were pushed into army vehicles with tinted glasses and whisked away to the joint investigation centre after a 50-minute quick operation.
Heavily armed security personnel swiftly entered the main bazaar during rush hours and sealed the Tehsil Square which leads to Teerah and other bazaars, and different residential areas. People from the tribal areas and remote parts of the district stay in the Teerah Bazaar hotels mostly.
Officials said that the raids were conducted on the information that extremist elements were planning bomb attacks on the police and army in the district. They accused were also involved in cases of kidnapping and had targeted non-governmental organisations and girl schools in the region.
The militants were reportedly bomb-making experts. They were involved in targeting security forces.
Before the operation in the city, the police officials were reportedly not taken into confidence. Panic gripped the city on the occasion. It was the second incident when security forces didn’t take help of the police department during operation against militants.
“The only reason to act so secretly is to avoid leakage of information,” an official said, adding that the operations on both occasions were successful.
Meanwhile, in Lachi town, security forces safely released four government officials from the hideouts of the Taliban after intense battle followed by arrest of the militants
Rocket fired at Kohat killed a person
posted in dawn
A man was seriously injured when a rocket fired by militants hit a house in Jungle Khel area of Kohat city on late Saturday night.
Injured Ameer Khan was taken to the KDA Divisional Headquarters Hospital for treatment. Officials said that the rocket was fired from the mountains of Darra Adamkhel few hours after helicopter gunships targeted Taliban positions.
A man was seriously injured when a rocket fired by militants hit a house in Jungle Khel area of Kohat city on late Saturday night.
Injured Ameer Khan was taken to the KDA Divisional Headquarters Hospital for treatment. Officials said that the rocket was fired from the mountains of Darra Adamkhel few hours after helicopter gunships targeted Taliban positions.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Seven policemen injured as IED goes off in Kohat
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KOHAT, July 25: At least seven policemen were injured and three official vehicles were damaged in a blast while defusing a remote controlled improvised explosive device on the Indus Highway on Saturday.
A tractor driver, Abdul Munaf, passing through the area was also injured in the unexpected explosion when the IED was being defused by experts of the bomb disposal squad. The blast caused severe damage to a police motorcycle and two mobile pick-ups.
The injured included the in-charge of the bomb disposal squad, Mohammad Akbar Khan, a technician, assistant sub-inspector Saadat Habib, sub-inspector Mohammad Hafeez, constables Javed Iqbal, Qaiser Khan, Khalid Mahmood and Ahmed Ali.
The police media cell informed Dawn that the Rescue 15 received a telephone call that a suspicious gas cylinder was lying on the roadside in Guddi Banda on the Indus Highway (Kohat-Bannu road). A team of the bomb disposal squad was sent to the scene where they found that a 10kg heavy remote controlled bomb also fitted with a timer had been placed by some terrorists to target police and military convoys.
The bomb disposal squad was defusing the multi-system explosive device when it went off with a big ban. The rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the scene which shifted all the injured to the KDA divisional headquarters hospital for treatment.
The condition of all the victims was stable, the hospital sources confirmed.
Meanwhile, the police arrested 34 suspected militants and seized huge cache of arms from their possession during a search operation in southern parts of the district on Saturday. District Police Officer Dilawar Khan Bangash told Dawn that the Saddar police was ordered to launch an operation along the Indus Highway on Bannu road to nab the terrorists behind the blast earlier in the day. Three of the arrested belonged to the tribal area. They were shifted to an unknown place for interrogation.
The seized arms included five Kalashnikovs, seven light machine guns, six shotguns and nine pistols. The operation was carried out in Kharmato, Dhodha, Shakoori Banda, Dheri Banda, Guddi Banda and the adjoining hills.
KOHAT, July 25: At least seven policemen were injured and three official vehicles were damaged in a blast while defusing a remote controlled improvised explosive device on the Indus Highway on Saturday.
A tractor driver, Abdul Munaf, passing through the area was also injured in the unexpected explosion when the IED was being defused by experts of the bomb disposal squad. The blast caused severe damage to a police motorcycle and two mobile pick-ups.
The injured included the in-charge of the bomb disposal squad, Mohammad Akbar Khan, a technician, assistant sub-inspector Saadat Habib, sub-inspector Mohammad Hafeez, constables Javed Iqbal, Qaiser Khan, Khalid Mahmood and Ahmed Ali.
The police media cell informed Dawn that the Rescue 15 received a telephone call that a suspicious gas cylinder was lying on the roadside in Guddi Banda on the Indus Highway (Kohat-Bannu road). A team of the bomb disposal squad was sent to the scene where they found that a 10kg heavy remote controlled bomb also fitted with a timer had been placed by some terrorists to target police and military convoys.
The bomb disposal squad was defusing the multi-system explosive device when it went off with a big ban. The rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the scene which shifted all the injured to the KDA divisional headquarters hospital for treatment.
The condition of all the victims was stable, the hospital sources confirmed.
Meanwhile, the police arrested 34 suspected militants and seized huge cache of arms from their possession during a search operation in southern parts of the district on Saturday. District Police Officer Dilawar Khan Bangash told Dawn that the Saddar police was ordered to launch an operation along the Indus Highway on Bannu road to nab the terrorists behind the blast earlier in the day. Three of the arrested belonged to the tribal area. They were shifted to an unknown place for interrogation.
The seized arms included five Kalashnikovs, seven light machine guns, six shotguns and nine pistols. The operation was carried out in Kharmato, Dhodha, Shakoori Banda, Dheri Banda, Guddi Banda and the adjoining hills.
Smuggling attempt foiled in Kohat
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The Kohat police foiled an attempt of smuggling huge quantity of hashish from tribal area to Karachi and arrested the carriers along with car near Zero Point on Saturday.
The police claimed that they had information that two inter-provincial smugglers would try to smuggle hashish from Darra Adamkhel, located in the Frontier Region of Kohat.
The Jarma police checkpost staff started checking vehicles at Zero Point on the Indus Highway. They stopped a car number LOG-2171 for checking and on search found more than 10kg of finest quality of hashish from its secret cavities.
The smugglers Raza Khan and Abdul Kahliq, residents of Takht-i-Nasrati, were shifted to investigation branch.
The Kohat police foiled an attempt of smuggling huge quantity of hashish from tribal area to Karachi and arrested the carriers along with car near Zero Point on Saturday.
The police claimed that they had information that two inter-provincial smugglers would try to smuggle hashish from Darra Adamkhel, located in the Frontier Region of Kohat.
The Jarma police checkpost staff started checking vehicles at Zero Point on the Indus Highway. They stopped a car number LOG-2171 for checking and on search found more than 10kg of finest quality of hashish from its secret cavities.
The smugglers Raza Khan and Abdul Kahliq, residents of Takht-i-Nasrati, were shifted to investigation branch.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Gift-bomb’ kills policeman in Karak
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KARAK: A police constable was killed and another was injured when a ‘gift-bomb’ exploded at Changhoz Latamber police checkpoint on Thursday. The sources said that an unidentified driver of a Bannu-bound pickup handed over a tape-recorder to Head Constable Samiullah, saying that it was sent to him by one of his friends. The sources said as the head constable pressed the play button the bomb went off, killing him on the spot and seriously injuring Constable Riaz. The injured constable was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in a precarious condition.
KARAK: A police constable was killed and another was injured when a ‘gift-bomb’ exploded at Changhoz Latamber police checkpoint on Thursday. The sources said that an unidentified driver of a Bannu-bound pickup handed over a tape-recorder to Head Constable Samiullah, saying that it was sent to him by one of his friends. The sources said as the head constable pressed the play button the bomb went off, killing him on the spot and seriously injuring Constable Riaz. The injured constable was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in a precarious condition.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Two shot dead in Karak
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KARAK: Two persons were shot dead in two separate incidents in the jurisdiction of Takhti Nusrati Police Station on Wednesday. The sources said two armed men opened fire on Bakht Amin in Garang Sirajkhel, killing him on the spot. The motive behind the murder was stated to be a land dispute. The police registered a case against Taza Khan and Amin Khan, sons of Shad Amin, residents of Takhti Nusrati. In another incident, the accused Muhammad Shakoor, Muhammad Tayyab and Yaqoob allegedly killed Muhammad Nasir, resident of Zarki Nusrati, over an old enmity.
KARAK: Two persons were shot dead in two separate incidents in the jurisdiction of Takhti Nusrati Police Station on Wednesday. The sources said two armed men opened fire on Bakht Amin in Garang Sirajkhel, killing him on the spot. The motive behind the murder was stated to be a land dispute. The police registered a case against Taza Khan and Amin Khan, sons of Shad Amin, residents of Takhti Nusrati. In another incident, the accused Muhammad Shakoor, Muhammad Tayyab and Yaqoob allegedly killed Muhammad Nasir, resident of Zarki Nusrati, over an old enmity.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Carjacking bid foiled, 5 arrested in Karak
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KARAK: Local police Tuesday foiled a carjacking bid on Indus Highway and arrested five alleged car-lifters after an exchange of fire for some time.
The sources said a vehicle (LPT-1018) was intercepted by five carjackers near a petrol pump on Indus Highway and was snatched from the driver Gul Zahid son of Muneerullah. Later, the driver informed Rescue-15 who chased the criminals and exchanged fire with them in the jurisdiction of Domail police station in Bannu district.
However, after some time the police overpowered the car-lifters and arrested five accused. The arrested persons were identified as Farmanullah, son of Rahim Khan, Hazrat Ali, son of Ruqibar, Baitullah, son of Sanaullah, Sher Nawaz, son of Sher Andaz, and Sufyanullah, son of Baitullah, residents of Bannu district.
District police officer, Karak, Danishwar Khan announced cash prizes and gave commendation certificates to the police party.
KARAK: Local police Tuesday foiled a carjacking bid on Indus Highway and arrested five alleged car-lifters after an exchange of fire for some time.
The sources said a vehicle (LPT-1018) was intercepted by five carjackers near a petrol pump on Indus Highway and was snatched from the driver Gul Zahid son of Muneerullah. Later, the driver informed Rescue-15 who chased the criminals and exchanged fire with them in the jurisdiction of Domail police station in Bannu district.
However, after some time the police overpowered the car-lifters and arrested five accused. The arrested persons were identified as Farmanullah, son of Rahim Khan, Hazrat Ali, son of Ruqibar, Baitullah, son of Sanaullah, Sher Nawaz, son of Sher Andaz, and Sufyanullah, son of Baitullah, residents of Bannu district.
District police officer, Karak, Danishwar Khan announced cash prizes and gave commendation certificates to the police party.
KARAK: Local police Tuesday foiled a carjacking bid on Indus Highway and arrested five alleged car-lifters after an exchange of fire for some time.The sources said a vehicle (LPT-1018) was intercepted by five carjackers near a petrol pump on Indus Highway and was snatched from the driver Gul Zahid son of Muneerullah. Later, the driver informed Rescue-15 who chased the criminals and exchanged fire with them in the jurisdiction of Domail police station in Bannu district. However, after some time the police overpowered the car-lifters and arrested five accused. The arrested persons were identified as Farmanullah, son of Rahim Khan, Hazrat Ali, son of Ruqibar, Baitullah, son of Sanaullah, Sher Nawaz, son of Sher Andaz, and Sufyanullah, son of Baitullah, residents of Bannu district. District police officer, Karak, Danishwar Khan announced cash prizes and gave commendation certificates to the police party.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
17 ‘militants’ held in Darra operation
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Security forces claimed to have arrested 17 militants involved in attacking convoys from various parts of Darra Adamkhel on Monday.
Security forces continued search operation in Akhorwal area and arrested three alleged terrorists. They had been charged for attacking the security forces’ major camp in the area. The security forces were creeping in into the Akhorwal area to take control of the village and arrest or expel terrorists from there.
In another operation in Sheraki, situated close to Kohat tunnel, 14 suspected militants were held and shifted to combined investigation cell in Kohat for interrogation.
Security forces were trying to secure all the areas surrounding their strategic base camp established in Darra Adamkhel Government Degree College and the nearby FC checkpost which had been under attack for several months.
Security forces claimed to have arrested 17 militants involved in attacking convoys from various parts of Darra Adamkhel on Monday.
Security forces continued search operation in Akhorwal area and arrested three alleged terrorists. They had been charged for attacking the security forces’ major camp in the area. The security forces were creeping in into the Akhorwal area to take control of the village and arrest or expel terrorists from there.
In another operation in Sheraki, situated close to Kohat tunnel, 14 suspected militants were held and shifted to combined investigation cell in Kohat for interrogation.
Security forces were trying to secure all the areas surrounding their strategic base camp established in Darra Adamkhel Government Degree College and the nearby FC checkpost which had been under attack for several months.
TMA Employees of Kohat for Pilgrimage
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Kohat tehsil nazim announced on Monday to send two employees of Tehsil Municipal Administration for pilgrimage on the government expenses this year.
Addressing a press conference, the out going tehsil nazim, Dilbar Khan, briefed journalists about the achievements made during his period and claimed that he had turned the bankrupt institution into self reliant organisation.
He said that when they took over the TMA had no money to pay salaries and had to rent tractors and called fire tenders from PAF and Kohat Tunnel. But now the TMA was self sufficient and had its own fire brigade, tractors, trolleys and bank balance enough for clearing the electricity bills and paying salaries for one year, he added.
He also announced a grant of Rs200,000 for Kohat Press Club.
Kohat tehsil nazim announced on Monday to send two employees of Tehsil Municipal Administration for pilgrimage on the government expenses this year.
Addressing a press conference, the out going tehsil nazim, Dilbar Khan, briefed journalists about the achievements made during his period and claimed that he had turned the bankrupt institution into self reliant organisation.
He said that when they took over the TMA had no money to pay salaries and had to rent tractors and called fire tenders from PAF and Kohat Tunnel. But now the TMA was self sufficient and had its own fire brigade, tractors, trolleys and bank balance enough for clearing the electricity bills and paying salaries for one year, he added.
He also announced a grant of Rs200,000 for Kohat Press Club.
Friday, July 17, 2009
23 suspects held in Kohat
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KOHAT: Security forces nabbed 23 suspected militants in a search operation in Akhorwal area of Darra Adamkhel, Frontier Region (FR) Kohat on Thursday. The sources said security forces launched a search operation against the militants in Akhorwal area and arrested 23 suspected militants whose identity could not be ascertained as they were shifted to an undisclosed location.
KOHAT: Security forces nabbed 23 suspected militants in a search operation in Akhorwal area of Darra Adamkhel, Frontier Region (FR) Kohat on Thursday. The sources said security forces launched a search operation against the militants in Akhorwal area and arrested 23 suspected militants whose identity could not be ascertained as they were shifted to an undisclosed location.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
160 outlaws held, seven persons freed
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KOHAT: Police claimed to have arrested 160 outlaws and secured safe release of seven kidnapped persons in massive drive against the criminals in the district over the last two weeks.
Briefing the mediapersons at his office here on Tuesday, the district police officer (DPO) Delawar Khan Bangash said on the directives of the deputy inspector general of police (DIG) Abdullah Khan, various police parties were constituted to a crackdown on the dens and hideouts of the criminals and suspected persons in Doaba, Balyamina, Tanig Banda, Zargari, Shahukhel and Anarcheena.
He said 106 outlaws including six militants identified as Khayal Munir, Akhtar Munir, Mistar Gul, Bismillah Gul, Miraz Gul and Rafiullah were arrested. The arms recovered included 43 Kalashnikov rifles, 11 Kalakov rifles, 51 shot guns, 45 rifles, two stand guns, two remote-controlled bombs, a rocket launcher, 10 rocket shells, 171 pistols, 61 mortar shells, six handgrenades, three LMG rifles, drugs included 148 kilogram hashish, four kilograms of heroin, two kilograms of opium and 46 bottles liquor.
Police also recovered seven kidnapped persons, including the general manager of Kohat Cement Factory and officials of the Oil and Gas Development Corporation, besides arresting two members of a gang identified as Sajiduddin and Abdul Kareem.
KOHAT: Police claimed to have arrested 160 outlaws and secured safe release of seven kidnapped persons in massive drive against the criminals in the district over the last two weeks.
Briefing the mediapersons at his office here on Tuesday, the district police officer (DPO) Delawar Khan Bangash said on the directives of the deputy inspector general of police (DIG) Abdullah Khan, various police parties were constituted to a crackdown on the dens and hideouts of the criminals and suspected persons in Doaba, Balyamina, Tanig Banda, Zargari, Shahukhel and Anarcheena.
He said 106 outlaws including six militants identified as Khayal Munir, Akhtar Munir, Mistar Gul, Bismillah Gul, Miraz Gul and Rafiullah were arrested. The arms recovered included 43 Kalashnikov rifles, 11 Kalakov rifles, 51 shot guns, 45 rifles, two stand guns, two remote-controlled bombs, a rocket launcher, 10 rocket shells, 171 pistols, 61 mortar shells, six handgrenades, three LMG rifles, drugs included 148 kilogram hashish, four kilograms of heroin, two kilograms of opium and 46 bottles liquor.
Police also recovered seven kidnapped persons, including the general manager of Kohat Cement Factory and officials of the Oil and Gas Development Corporation, besides arresting two members of a gang identified as Sajiduddin and Abdul Kareem.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
One dead in Karak accident
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KARAK: A person was killed and another sustained injuries in a road mishap here Saturday. Police said that a DI Khan-bound oil tanker hit a motorbike near Babalkhel when it was entering the Indus Highway. As a result Maulana Muhammad Yahya son of Nasrullah Jan, resident of Shamooni Khattak, died on the spot while Abdul Haq sustained serious injuries. The injured was taken to District Headquarters Hospital Karak.
KARAK: A person was killed and another sustained injuries in a road mishap here Saturday. Police said that a DI Khan-bound oil tanker hit a motorbike near Babalkhel when it was entering the Indus Highway. As a result Maulana Muhammad Yahya son of Nasrullah Jan, resident of Shamooni Khattak, died on the spot while Abdul Haq sustained serious injuries. The injured was taken to District Headquarters Hospital Karak.
2 soldiers die in Darra blast
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KOHAT: Two soldiers were killed and six others sustained injuries in a roadside blast at Akhorwal area in Darra Adamkhel, Frontier Region (FR) Kohat, on Saturday. Sources said unidentified miscreants had planted improvised explosive device (IED) outside the Government Degree College at Akhorwal area, which went off at 7pm, leaving two soldiers Nayyar Sohail and Safeer dead and six others injured. One of the injured soldiers was identified as Zaheer. Bodies of the slain soldiers were shifted to the Combined Military Hospitals in Kohat and Peshawar. The security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation, besides closing the Indus Highway for all kinds of vehicular traffic. No group or individual has yet claimed responsibility for the incident.
KOHAT: Two soldiers were killed and six others sustained injuries in a roadside blast at Akhorwal area in Darra Adamkhel, Frontier Region (FR) Kohat, on Saturday. Sources said unidentified miscreants had planted improvised explosive device (IED) outside the Government Degree College at Akhorwal area, which went off at 7pm, leaving two soldiers Nayyar Sohail and Safeer dead and six others injured. One of the injured soldiers was identified as Zaheer. Bodies of the slain soldiers were shifted to the Combined Military Hospitals in Kohat and Peshawar. The security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation, besides closing the Indus Highway for all kinds of vehicular traffic. No group or individual has yet claimed responsibility for the incident.
Friday, July 10, 2009
39 militants killed in Orakzai
posted in dawn
KOHAT, July 9: Thirty-nine militants were killed when military planes bombed Taliban hideouts in Orakzai agency on Thursday.
According to unconfirmed reports, about 14 camps of militants were destroyed in Starsam, Drogai and Behram Garh areas of Chappri Feroze Khel in the lower and Ghiljo in upper Orakzai agency.
Independent sources confirmed that 39 militants had been killed and eight injured in the strikes.
However, official sources said they did not have confirmed reports about casualties.
KOHAT, July 9: Thirty-nine militants were killed when military planes bombed Taliban hideouts in Orakzai agency on Thursday.
According to unconfirmed reports, about 14 camps of militants were destroyed in Starsam, Drogai and Behram Garh areas of Chappri Feroze Khel in the lower and Ghiljo in upper Orakzai agency.
Independent sources confirmed that 39 militants had been killed and eight injured in the strikes.
However, official sources said they did not have confirmed reports about casualties.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Additional force called after protest in Kohat jail
POSTED IN DAWN
KOHAT, July 6: The Kohat prison authorities called in additional force to control the situation when ‘Taliban’ inmates resorted to protest against the arrest of their colleague from the jail mosque on Monday.
The inmates, who had been arrested by police suspecting them to be Taliban, staged protest for more than two hours and broke taps and pipes.
Official sources said the suspected Taliban, arrested during operations in tribal and settled areas and imprisoned in the Kohat district prison, slapped and kicked a drug seller, injuring him. The victim complained to the staff after which police took action and arrested a Taliban inmate inside the mosque.
This infuriated the Taliban who gathered in large numbers holding sticks and accusing police of desecrating the mosque by arresting a man inside the mosque. The protesters demanded that the jail authorities should stop “selling of hashish, sleeping pills and use of mobile phones by some influential prisoners in connivance with wardens”.
District Police Officer Dilawar Khan Bangash and Assistant Coordination Officer Shabbir Mohammad reached the prison along with a huge contingent of police to control the situation.
The matter was settled between the Taliban and the jail administration following detailed search of the belongings and barracks of the prisoners allegedly involved in the illegal business. Nothing was recovered from them.
Later, the administration decided to send four ‘notorious’ Taliban who had created all the mess to the Deral Ismail Khan central jail.
An inquiry has been ordered into the incident to review the behaviour of the jail staff with prisoners.
KOHAT, July 6: The Kohat prison authorities called in additional force to control the situation when ‘Taliban’ inmates resorted to protest against the arrest of their colleague from the jail mosque on Monday.
The inmates, who had been arrested by police suspecting them to be Taliban, staged protest for more than two hours and broke taps and pipes.
Official sources said the suspected Taliban, arrested during operations in tribal and settled areas and imprisoned in the Kohat district prison, slapped and kicked a drug seller, injuring him. The victim complained to the staff after which police took action and arrested a Taliban inmate inside the mosque.
This infuriated the Taliban who gathered in large numbers holding sticks and accusing police of desecrating the mosque by arresting a man inside the mosque. The protesters demanded that the jail authorities should stop “selling of hashish, sleeping pills and use of mobile phones by some influential prisoners in connivance with wardens”.
District Police Officer Dilawar Khan Bangash and Assistant Coordination Officer Shabbir Mohammad reached the prison along with a huge contingent of police to control the situation.
The matter was settled between the Taliban and the jail administration following detailed search of the belongings and barracks of the prisoners allegedly involved in the illegal business. Nothing was recovered from them.
Later, the administration decided to send four ‘notorious’ Taliban who had created all the mess to the Deral Ismail Khan central jail.
An inquiry has been ordered into the incident to review the behaviour of the jail staff with prisoners.
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