KOHAT: The famous Kohat springs have become the most sought-after place for people to escape the intense heat for the last three days.

The district is blessed with natural springs where people come both for picnic and taking bath to beat the heat, especially during Ramazan.

The water at the city, Juzara, Chilli Bagh, Pir Baba and Bona Baba springs becomes cold during summer and warm in winter, enabling people to take bath.

The famous Jungle Khel springs in the Kohat city remain thronged by the people throughout the year. Last week, a women-specific swimming pool was added to it.

The other one in the city is Bona Baba springs near the Afghan refugee camp. Its water is said to have spiritual healing effects.

A tubewell and a cover over the springs were constructed by the British. Now it has been divided into two pools under the beautification plan.

The most popular picnic spot, Chilli Bagh, has also been renovated and deep water pools have been added to it where families could spend a day with their children.

The Pir Baba is another cool water spring on Hangu highway where people often enjoy Bar BQ parties.

DRUG PEDDLERS HELD: The police arrested seven members of an inter-district smugglers’ gang and 15 peddlers during action on Friday.

Afghan nationals, who had entered the country without valid documents through unfrequented routes, were also held during checking and sent to prison. Several kilogrammes of hashish and over one kilogramme heroin were recovered.

The drug peddlers and smugglers were sent to prison.

The police also seized big quantity of weapons from them, including five hand grenades, 28 Kalashnikovs, four kalakovs, a gun, 17 pistols, 42 shotguns, 180 pistols, 15,000 cartridges, 2,000 chargers, and 5,000 China crackers.

JUMAATUL WIDA: Jumaatul Wida was observed with religious fervor amid tight security.

A statement said on the directives of district police officer Wahid Mehmood two policemen had been deployed to guard each mosque throughout the last 10 days of Ramazan.

The DPO led a flag march which passed through all the intra-city roads and bazaars. The DPO also checked the security arrangements.

He said keeping in view rush in the run up to the Eid festival traffic points and routes had been increased for entering the bazaars and duty hours of wardens had been increased. He said pillion riding had been banned.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2019