Kohat: 4 dead, 3 injured as unidentified gunmen open fire at car

KOHAT (Dunya News) – Four people died whereas three were injured after unidentified gunmen open fire at a car in Kohat on Saturday, reported Dunya News.

Shakardara Nazim rural village council Munir Khan was travelling in his car along with his relatives towards his residence when unidentified gunmen opened fire at the car near Shakardara resulting in the deaths of Nazim Munir Khan, Attiq Rehman and his two sons, Shafiq and Rafiq.

Three people, including a lady and a young girl, got injured as a result of the incident. Police stated that the incident was the outcome of personal rivalry, adding that further investigation of the incident was being carried out.

Forces continue hunt for Hangu MPA’s killers

Source Dawn

The security forces blew up a private torture cell on Hangu bypass road on Sunday in the continuing operation against extremist groups involved in the killing of PTI MPA Fareed Khan.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of SP, Hangu, Sajid Khan. However, the killers of the lawmaker, who was ambushed on June 3, could not be arrested so far.

The SP told Dawn that the hunt was still on to capture the killers and the head of the militant group Mulllah Nabi Hanafi.

Police said that Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan activists had destroyed the main training camp of militants belonging to Mullah Hanafi group in Bagato area of Hangu. The camp was reportedly established a few years ago.

Officials said that Mullah Hanafi’s was the same group which was involved in cases of kidnapping for ransom and killing of truck drivers on Parachinar road for three years.

After killing of the PTI MPA, over 18 suspected people were arrested, but most of them had been released after initial interrogation.

Kidnapped people released in Hangu

Source Dawn

Hangu police got four people released from kidnappers and arrested an accused on Friday.

The police said that the alleged kidnappers, including Hazrat Daud, Salamat Shah and Mohammad Mustafa of Orakzai Agency, had kidnapped five people from Hangu and demanded Rs5.5 million ransom. Their victims were identified as Amir, Vaqar, Mohammad Israr and Abdul Qadir.

They said that the kidnappers had taken the four to Navidad Mountains and were planning to shift them to tribal area when the police raided their hideout and recovered the victims. An alleged accomplice of the kidnappers was also arrested. The police have registered a case against the accused.

PHC rejects police probe in Uzma Ayub Case

Source Pakistan Observer

Peshawar—The Peshawar High Court here on Thursday ordered inclusion of 7-Anti Terrorism Act against the accused in murder case of brother of alleged gang rape victim in Karak district and rejected the enquiry report of DIG Enquiry and Investigation, Sultan Hanif Orakzai.

A two-member bench of PHC, Comprising Chief Justice, Dost Muhammad Khan and Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth took strong exception over the DIG enquiry report and ruled that why contempt of court proceeding should not be initiated against him for presenting such report that was not based on facts.

The court directed DIG Kohat Idrees Khan to continue probe of the alleged gang rape case of Uzma Ayub and clod blooded murder of his brother, Alamzaib in Karak district. The court ordered inclusion of 7-ATA against the accused in the murder case of Alamzaib and adjourned the case till January 17, 2012.

IGP KPK Muhammad Akbar Khan Hoti and Secretary Health also appeared in the court with direction of conducting of DNA Test of the unborn baby of gang rape victim after the birth to ascertain factual position. The PHC had taken strong notice of police negligence in the case and had suspended DPO Karak after killing of Uzma Ayub brother in Karak courts.

The court had also directed IGP Khyber Pakthunkhwa, Muhammad Akbar Khan Hoti to serve a show-cause notice on DIG, Kohat for not reaching on the spot after report of the incident. The Court directed strict action against police officials found guilty in the case and submission of enquiry report within seven days before the court. The court also directed government Khyber Pakthunkhwa to provide foolproof security to Uzma Ayub and her family in Peshawar.

Cop shot dead in Kohat

Source The News

A cop was killed and another sustained injuries when militants opened fire on a police party near the New Bus Terminal on Saturday evening, sources said.

The sources said that a Rider Squad of the Mills Area Police Post was on patrol when militants opened fire on it, killing Constable Basheer and injuring Constable Tanveer.

Following the incident, the police cordoned off the area but no arrest was reported yet.

Meanwhile, the police found a body in the waiting room of the Bus Terminal here on Saturday.

The sources said that acting on a tip-off, the police reached the spot and took the body of Ashraf Khan, son of Khani and resident of Mianwali district, into custody. The police also found a pistol near the body and it was presumed that the man committed suicide.

Seized explosives disposed of in Kohat

Source Dawn

The bomb disposal squad (BDS) on Saturday destroyed huge quantity of explosives and ammunition after completion of trials against terrorists in various courts.


The additional district and sessions judge had handed over the consignment to the BDS for disposal at a safer place.

The BDS took the consignment to mountains of Lachi and exploded them underground. They consignment included 54 mortars, 86kg of explosives, 97 mortars, three detonators, 40 rocket head fuses, 25 meters detonating card, eight meters safety fuses and 132 fireworks.

Meanwhile, Fayaz Khan took charge as district police officer, Kohat, in place of Dilawar Khan Bangash, who was posted DPO Dera Ismail Khan.

Kohat police foils terrorism bid

Souree The Nation


Kohat police have foiled a comprehensive plan of terrorist’s activity while confiscated explosive laden vehicle here in Kohat on Saturday.


According to details, an explosive loaded vehicle was trying to enter in Kohat city when Bannu police stopped vehicle at Bannu gate check post for checking purpose, while checking the vehicle, about 1000 kilogram explosive material was recovered.

DIG Kohat Masood Afridi told that Kohat police have arrested the terrorists while recovered about 1000 kilogram explosive material from their possession, he added that police have started search operation in the area after confiscating explosive vehicle, wherein the arrested terrorists were sent to some unknown place for investigation.

Zuljinnah processions end peacefully in Kohat

Source Dawn

The mourners’ processions on Tuesday passed through main Kohat bazaar peacefully amid foolproof security arrangements.


The federal government had declared 11 Imambargahs out of 38 and 11 mosques as most sensitive in Kohat district which are being guarded round the clock by police.

Three processions were taken out from Rizvia Imambargah, Bannu bazaar, Qaumi Imambargah, Sangerh and Said Habib Imambargah, lower Sangerh in the Kohat city. The three processions converged at Zargaran bazaar chowk where speakers highlighted the sacrifices made by the family of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS).

Then the procession after passing through tehsil gate and old Hindu Mohallah culminated at Said Habib Imambargah.

There was a curfew like situation in the main city where bazaars remained closed. The people especially the patients had to face hardship while moving out of the city which had been sealed by the volunteers and the police till 3pm on Tuesday.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kohat region, Mohammad Masood Afridi conducted regular visits of the route of the procession to check the alertness of the security forces.

3 cops suspended in Kohat

Source The News

District police officer Thursday placed three cops under suspension on the charges of negligence. A notification issued by DPO Delawar Khan Bangash stated that the Station House Officer (SHO) Gumbat Police Station Inspector Mirzali Khan, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Khushalgarh police post Nazeer Khan and Khushalgarh Bridge police post ASI Azmat Ali were suspended. They had been asked to report to the Police Lines. The notification read that Sub-Inspector Asad Zubair had been posted as SHO Gumbat Police Station, ASI Afzal Khan in-charge Khushalgarh police post and Head Constable Daud Khan in-charge of Khushalgarh Bridge police post.

Constable killed in Kohat

Source Dawn

A police constable was killed in Chakarkot Bala by unidentified persons while 33 suspected militants were arrested during a search operation here on Saturday.


The police constable, Ibrar Hussain, serving as driver at Ustarzai police station was on leave and was walking out of his home when armed men sprayed him with bullets.

The local people said that he had an old enmity and was killed by his rivals.

Meanwhile, police arrested 33 suspected militants in various areas of the district and recovered weapons and hashish from them during an operation.

The operation was carried out in Jungle Khel, Ghulam Banda, Kharmato, Jarma Gumbat, Mian Garhi, Muhammadzai, Ustarzai and Merozai areas.

The seizure included four Kalashnikovs, three repeaters, eight shotguns, six rifles, 19 pistols, hundreds of cartridges and 12 kilograms fine quality hashish.

The suspects were handed over to the investigation department for interrogation after registration of cases against them in respective police stations.

Gambling den busted in Kohat

Source Dawn

The Jungle Khel police arrested a former councillor and nine others in a raid on a gambling den on Wednesday.


The station house officer, Syed Aqeeq Hussain, while acting on a tip-off raided the house of the former councillor, Noor Shad, in Jungle Khel and arrested the gamblers along with Rs26,000 stake money.


The police also recovered arms and ammunition from the house, which was being used by the councillor as a gambling den. The accused were presented before a judge who sent them to the district prison.

Cop shot dead in Kohat

posted in news

A police constable killed another cop over an old enmity in the Esakhel Kachai village on Friday. Sources said the deceased policeman was on leave when Iftikhar Hussain allegedly opened fire on him, killing him on the spot. Suleman, brother of the slain policeman, said the incident happened because of an old enmity between the two families.

18 held in Kohat

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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.

Ten killed in Kohat suicide attack

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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.

33 killed, 60 hurt in Kohat suicide attack

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mortar shells seized, 4 held

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KOHAT, June 28: Police seized a van laden with huge quantity of mortar shells and other ammunition and arrested four alleged terrorists near Ustarzai here on Sunday.

DIG Abdullah Khan informed journalists at a briefing that the terrorists were taking the mortars and ammunition from Orakzai Agency to Hangu district for sabotage activities. They were arrested as soon as they entered the limits of Kohat, he said and added that the four terrorists belonged to Hangu and Orakzai but their names could not be revealed till the completion of operation for the arrest of their accomplices.

He claimed that the rest of the gang members would be arrested by night.

“There is no doubt that all heavy arms and ammunition was coming from tribal areas into the settled areas due to the weakening writ of the government there. If the terrorism has to be uprooted simultaneous clean up operation in all the tribal areas is the only solution,” he said.

He added that for that purpose the powers of the political agent would have to be revived so that administration could take strict action against the tribesmen involved in abetting terrorism and arms smuggling from Afghanistan.

The seizure from the terrorists included 47 mortars with fuses, 66 boxes of explosives, 15 mortar cartridges, one Kalashnikov, one shotgun and one 30 bore pistol. The mortars and ammunition was Chinese and Iranian made.

The accused would be presented in the court of law for remand on Monday.