NOWSHERA, Nov 30: A two kilogram explosive device planted by unknown miscreants in front of Behram Shopping Centre at Jehangira Road was defused on Friday.

Police said watchman of the plaza informed the police after finding suspicious object lying in a plastic box in front of the market. The police cordoned off the area and called personnel of bomb disposal unit to neutralise the explosive device.

The police also evacuated the shopping centre and closed the station road for all kind of traffic and pedestrians before defusing the explosive. BDU personnel said the explosive device was remote controlled and weighed two kilogram.

A search operation was also conducted in the area, however, there was no reports of any arrest till late night. The Akora Khattak police registered case against unidentified miscreants and started investigation.

THREAT: The Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf and workers of Sohail Jute Mills have warned of country-wide protest strike if shifting of machinery from the mills premises was not stopped forthwith.

PTI leader Iftikhar Durrani and other labourers’ leaders said Sohail Jute Mills was the only mills in the industrial zone of Nowshera which had provided jobs to hundreds of people but now its owner with support of allegedly corrupt government was trying to close it forever.

They said the closure of other industries like Adam Jee Papers Mills and textile mills had rendered many jobless in Nowshera. The machinery of Adam Jee Paper Mills was sold and the building was converted into a private school and residential quarters, they alleged.

They warned the district administration and provincial government of dire consequences if shifting of machinery of Sohail Jute Mills was not stopped.