SWABI: The police arrested an Afghan national, who was wanted in several robbery cases, and recovered about Rs1 million looted money from him here on Wednesday.

District police officer Najamul Hussain said Raheen Salman, an Afghan living in Batakara village of Topi tehsil, along with his gang had snatched Rs3.7 million from Riaz Khan of Malikabad village at gunpoint. He said the robber had also looted Rozeed Khan of Gandaf village.

DPO Hussain said the robber was wanted to the Mardan police in five robbery cases, to Swabi police in two robberies. He said other members of the gang had already been arrested.

Meanwhile, the Chota Lahor police arrested a person and recovered drugs from his possession.

Chota Lahor city police station SHO said drugs were being smuggled to the Punjab province in a car. He said over one kilogramme hashish was recovered from the vehicle. He identified the alleged drug smuggler as Mohammad Yasin of Topi city.

The police registered a case against him.

Separately, a man was shot dead after a brawl in Gulo Dheri village on Wednesday, the police said.

SHO Swabi city police station Ajab Durrani said the deceased was identified as Zardar Ali. He said an FIR had been registered against the accused, Gohar Khan and Ahmad Hassan.

BAN IMPOSED: The district administration has imposed ban on political gatherings due to increasing incidents of terrorism.

A notification issued on Wednesday said in the wake of the prevailing security threats in the province and repeated terrorists attacks, it is imperative to take extraordinary measures to ensure public security in gatherings and processions.

It said after the suicide attack on a Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazal gathering in Bajaur tribal district, it was felt that such public meetings should be avoided to protect precious lives.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2023