Anti-dengue drive

RAWALPINDI, July 25: Rawal Town Municipal Administration (RTMA) on Wednesday launched crackdown against tyre shops to avoid the spread of dengue virus in the city, after rain.

RTMA spokesman told Dawn that on the instructions of Rawal Town Administrator, Saif Anwar Jappa, Town Officer Regulation Tauseef Ahmed Malik, formed four teams and seized 200 abandoned tyres from different parts of the city.

He said that rain water accumulated in tyres, which displayed in the open air would become breading ground for dengue mosquitoes. He said that the administrator also issued warning letters to tyre shops to stop displaying and storing tyres in open places, otherwise stern action would be taken against them.

He said that the campaign would continue for the next two months, as coming days were crucial for the spread of dengue virus. —A Reporter

Robbers on a looting spree

RAWALPINDI, July 25: Armed robbers went on the rampage in different parts of the city and deprived two persons of prize bonds valuing Rs3 million, looted gold jewellery worth Rs300,000 from the inmates of a house, and deprived two shopkeepers of cash and nine cellphones after injuring them on resistance on Tuesday, police said on Wednesday.

Zahir Sarfraz told Westridge police that he along with his brother Anwarul Haq was on his way home after purchasing prize bonds from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) when three robbers blocked their way near Chor Chowk.

On resistance, Anwarul Haq was shot and injured by them who escaped with the cash bag.

Maqsood Ahmed, a shopkeeper of Banni area, told police that he and his colleague Nazim Shahbaz were sitting in his shop when three persons came over there on a motorbike and stabbed both of them after they tried to overpower the robbers.

The robbers snatched Rs50,000 in cash and three cell phones.

Another shop in Pirwadhai area was looted by robbers, who escaped while firing, injuring another shopkeeper Fareed Ahmed.

In yet another robbery incident, four gunmen raided a house in the Civil Lines police area and held its inmates at gunpoint.

They searched the cupboards and drawers of the house and fetched gold jewellery valuing Rs300, 000 and later fled. None of the robbers could be arrested by the police. —Staff Reporter