CHITRAL: A mock exercise was carried out at the district jail by local police, supported by Chitral Scouts, to improve its efficiency in responding to potential jail breaks or terrorist attacks on the premises.

The well-prepared contingents of police and paramilitary forces swiftly rushed to the district jail and successfully repelled the attack, preventing any intrusion into the building.

District Police Officer Iftikhar Shah told Dawn that the exercise was aimed at ensuring the force could mobilise quickly to a troubled spot and respond effectively to sabotage activities, minimising or eliminating any losses. He added that Chitral police remained vigilant against any situation that could threaten peace, emphasising that there was no room for intruders to carry out their nefarious activities in the area.

PROTEST SIT-IN: The protest sit-in (dharna) by residents of Torkhow and Terich valleys in Upper Chitral entered its 7th day.

More than a dozen people had set up a protest camp in Werkup village of Torkhow after the contractor from the Communication and Works (C&W) department halted construction on the Booni-Buzund Road. Mehmood Khan, one of the participants, stated that although the weather was unbearably cold, they had volunteered to endure it in the best interest of their area.

He emphasised that exposing the mismanagement of both the C&W department and the contractor responsible for the road project was unavoidable.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2024