posted in dawn
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.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Alleged militant killed along accomplices
posted in dawn
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
posted in dawn
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
posted in dawn
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
posted in dawn
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
posted in news
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
posted in dawn
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
posted in dawn
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
posted in dawn
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
posted in news
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
posted in dawn
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
posted in news
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
posted in news
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
posted in news
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
posted in news
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
posted in dawn
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
posted in dawn
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
posted in dawn
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.
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