BAJAUR: Two people were killed and a woman received injuries when two groups traded fire over a disputed walking track in a hilly area of Utmankhel tehsil here on Sunday.

The residents and Rescue 1122 officials told Dawn that the armed clash took place in Nail Kallay Bar Trass locality after exchange of harsh words between members of two groups over ownership of the track located near their residences According to the locals, people of both the groups used automatic rifles in the clash, which continued for about 40 minutes. Officials of Rescue 1122 said that one member from each side were killed on the spot while a woman sustained serious injuries.

The officials said that both the deceased were identified as Saidur Rehman, 30, and Inayatur Rehman, 32. They were shifted to the district headquarters hospital Khar by the rescue workers.

The police with the local elders’ support have managed a ceasefire for the time being between the two groups.

BAN ON FIRECRACKERS: The district administration launched a crackdown on firecrackers retailers here in Khar Bazaar on Sunday, seizing a huge quantity of firecrackers.

The action was launched a day after the district administration imposed a ban on the sale of firecrackers, firing in the air and fireworks to maintain law and order during Ramazan.

It was conducted by a team of the district administration officials led by Khar subdivision assistant commissioner Dr Sadiq Ali, said a statement.

The statement mentioned that the move was approved during a meeting of senior officials of the district administration, police and leaders of traders associations, chaired by deputy commissioner Shahid Ali Khan.

The participants of the meeting expressed grave concerns over the surge in firecrackers trade and their use in the district during Ramazan.

The meeting had noted that the use of firecrackers mostly by the children and kids was not only disturbing the law and order situation but too causing fear and panic among the residents as the situation was not satisfactory across the district.

According to the statement, all the traders related to the business had been directed through the leaders of their respective associations to close down the sale of firecrackers by Sunday to avoid strict action by the district administration.

However, according to the Sunday’s statement, most of the traders in Khar and other bazaars failed to follow the instructions, which forced the administration to launch a comprehensive crackdown. The statement stated that the seized firecrackers were shifted to the police lines Khar for disposal.

The statement added that the crackdown would continue across the district till Chand Raat.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2025