PESHAWAR: 6 killed, 26 hurt in poll-related violence
PESHAWAR, Feb 18: At least six persons including a soldier were killed and over 26 injured in poll-related incidents of violence in the Frontier province on Monday.
In Mansehra, two persons identified as Fadar and Waliur Rehman were killed and five others were injured when there was a clash between the supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q candidate Sardar Yousuf and independent candidate Waqarul Mulk. The incident happened at Bugar Mung, Sathan Gali polling station of the NA-20 constituency.
Those killed were supporters of the independent candidate and the victim families have registered case against nazim union council Hillkot Sardar Mohammad Jan, Mohammad Rasool and Zamin Mohammad.
Two persons were injured in the Kohistan district (NA-23).
A man, identified as Abbas Khan, was killed and another, Noor Sali, injured when there was a reported clash between supporters of independent candidate Nisar Gul Kakakehl and Farid Khan Toofan of the PPP, in Kamali Zarakhel, Ghundi Mir Khankhel union council (PF-40), Karak.
Five persons were reportedly injured in Batagram district as a result of clashes between two groups. Some four workers of the Pakistan People’s Party (Sherpao) were injured allegedly by supporters of Masoom Shah (ANP) at Yari Khan polling station (PF-2), Shabqadar.
A PPP worker, Shah Room, was injured at Gujar Garhi polling station (PF-26). There were reports that a PPP candidate allegedly beat up a presiding officer while unidentified persons planted explosives in the building of a women college that went off in early morning but no loss of life was reported. Another bomb, planted close to a polling station, was timely defused by the bomb disposal squad.
One soldier and two civilians were killed and four others were injured when unknown militants opened fire on a patrolling party of the security forces in Bannu.
The patrolling party of security forces was fired upon by unidentified militants on the Bannu-Dera Ismail Khan road, near Merakhel. During exchange of fire an army man Wajid and a passerby were killed while four others identified as Nasibullah, Sher Ali, Shah Hussain and sepoy Mansab Ali sustained injuries. The injured were rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital, Bannu.
Meanwhile, supporters of the candidates of various parties brandished variety of lethal weapons on the polling day in Bannu and adjoining areas, residents complained.