SWABI: The agriculture department has banned the sale of ammonium nitrate and calcium ammonium nitrate fertilisers in the Swabi district.

The ban was imposed by the department through a notification issued here on Saturday.

The department said that the ban was slapped on the directives of home and tribal affairs department and directorate general of Agriculture Action, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The notification warned that fertiliser dealers would be fined heavily if they were found selling these substances in local markets.

The agricultural department’s order permits the sale of all types of fertilisers, except ammonium nitrate and calcium ammonium nitrate, subject to licence issued by the government.

When contacted, officials in the agriculture department told Dawn that the ban was imposed in view of the substances’ possible use in terrorist activities.

The government has taken the decision owing to surge in militant attacks, especially the tragic loss of lives of 23 army soldiers in DI Khan on Dec 12. Strict action will be taken against those involved in this trade, said the official.

Fertiliser dealers in the district told Dawn that they would comply with the government’s decision and would not bring these two fertilisers in the markets.

“We will not deal in such fertilisers till the ban is there,” said a dealer on condition of anonymity.

THREE INJURED ON ROAD: Three persons suffered injuries when two motorcycles collided on a road in Shewa village on Saturday, Rescue 1122 officials said.

They said that a medical team promptly responded, and shifted the injured to Kalu Khan Hospital after providing them first aid on the spot.

The injured were identified as Kachkul Khan, 40, a resident of Mardan district, Sartaj Khan, 55, and Naveed Khan, 35, both belonging to Paramoli village.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2023