Bannu by-poll on Aug 28

PESHAWAR, July 13: The Election Commission of Pakistan on Friday announced that by-election on the provincial assembly constituency of PK-70, Bannu-I would be held on August 28. The seat had fallen vacant due to the death of Ziad Akram Durrani.

According to a press release, the nomination papers would be filed on July 16 and 17, whereas scrutiny of the papers would take place on July 19 and 20.

Appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers could be filed till July 23, whereas the appellate tribunal will decide the appeals on July 25. Last date for withdrawal of nomination papers is July 26 following which final list of candidates will be released on July 27. —Bureau Report

Woman hurt in blast

TIMERGARA, July 13: A woman was critically injured when a landmine hidden in fields at Shontala Samar Bagh went off on Friday, police and residents told Dawn.

The Samar Bagh police registered a case on the report of Alam Zeb, who said the landmine exploded when a bullock stepped on it during tilling of the field. Alam Zeb’s wife was injured in the incident, while two other women present there remained unhurt. A pair of bullock was also injured.

The police claimed to have arrested three accused Nazir Mohammad, Lal Mohammad and Aqal Mohammad on charges of involvement in the incident. —Correspondent

Motorcyclist killed

KARAK, July 13: A motorcyclist was killed and another was injured when a truck knocked them down on Kohat-Bannu road in the Totaki area of Karak on Friday.

Hospital sources said one of the motorcyclists, Aamir Aziz, died before reaching the hospital. The injured, Mohammad Anwar, was referred to Peshawar in critical condition. The truck driver was arrested.

In another accident, Abdus Salam of Surdag area was killed on Karak-Bannu road.

Meanwhile, a young man, Shahidullah, committed suicide over some domestic dispute in the Bami Banda village.

Four people were injured when two groups clashed over a land dispute in Nari Panos area.

Meanwhile, four people riding two motorcycles were critically injured when their bikes collided on Teri bypass road. —Correspondent

Slow work on bridge

TIMERGARA, July 13: Former provincial minister and PPP-S leader Bakht Baidar Khan has said both the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments were least bothered to resolve public grievances.

Talking to journalists here on Friday, Bakht Baidar alleged rulers and sitting lawmakers had been engaged in making money and promoting personal interest.

He said despite lapse of more than two years the Chakdara Bridge had not been reconstructed. The PPP-S leader said Rs20 million had been spent so far on temporary causeway built on the River Swat at Chakdara. —Correspondent

Slain guards laid to rest

KARAK, July 13: Four slain prison guards of the Lahore attack, whose bodies reached here after 24 hours of the incident, were laid to rest in different areas of Karak on Friday.

They were identified as Qamar Zaman of Jandri, Khuda-i-Noor of Biland Kala, Mohammad Fayaz of Ghundi Mir Khan Khel and Azmat Janan of Tarkha Koi. Members of the bereaved families condemned the Punjab government for the delay in fulfilling legal formalities to dispatch the bodies to their areas in time. The Karak Qaumi Tehrik also held a protest against the Punjab government. —Correspondent

Girl commits ‘suicide’

NOWSHERA, July 13: A young girl allegedly shot herself dead over persistent illness in Nizampur area on Friday.

The mother of the victim told the police at the DHQ hospital her daughter committed suicide over her persistent illness. Police said no male relatives of the girl accompanied the body in the hospital, which created doubts about the cause of the death.Meanwhile, the district health department launched a three-day polio campaign on Friday.

MNA Masood Abbas Khattak inaugurated the campaign at rural health centre in Akora Khattak.—Correspondent

Murderer awarded death

SWABI, July 13: Additional district and sessions judge on Friday awarded death sentence to a murder convict.

The convict, Tahir Rehman, had killed his relative in Maneri Bala area two years ago. He was also fined Rs100,000. The court also awarded 10 years jail to the convict under section 324 of Pakistan Penal Code for injuring his other relatives and fined him Rs50,000. — Correspondent

Forces’ fire kills civilian

LANDI KOTAL, July 13: A local resident was killed in fire by security forces in Bara on Friday.

Sources said Suleman, resident of Qambar Khel, was on way to a local market during curfew hours when he was asked to stop by the forces. Upon his refusal, forces opened fire wounding him critically. He later died in a local clinic.

Meanwhile, two activists of Tawheed ul Islam were injured when they were hit by a remote control explosive device in Bhokar area of Tirah on Friday. Meanwhile, Bara-based political organisation, Khyber Union, has condemned resumption of Nato supplies.—Correspondent

Man killed in crossfire

BUNER, July 13: A shopkeeper was killed and two passers-by were injured when two rival groups exchanged fire in Barkalay village on Friday.

The Gagra police quoted one Fiaz Khan as saying he came to his shop after hearing gunshots and saw his father Jamaldar and two passers-by Inamullah and Sajid taking shelter inside the shop as Yakmeen and Said Zareen exchanged fire.

He said the three inside the shop suffered bullet injuries and were taken to DHQ Hospital in Daggar, where Jamaldar died, while the injured were referred to Peshawar. The police arrested Yakmeen with a Kalashnikov.—Correspondent