‘Militants’ held in seminary raid

LANDI KOTAL, July 16: The Khasadar Force in Jamrud arrested at least thirteen suspected militants during a raid on a seminary on Monday.

Officials said the raid was conducted on a mosque-cum-seminary in Sakhi Pul locality in the early morning as they had prior information about the presence of some suspected militants in the locality.

They said thirteen suspects present inside the seminary building were taken into custody. The arrested men also included the prayer leader of the mosque. All the arrested men were shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

Meanwhile, residents in Sheen Pokh area of Loe Shlaman in Landi Kotal warned of boycotting polio vaccination if their demand for health facilities was not fulfilled. Talking to journalists they said there was no basic health unit in their area. They said health teams were sent to the area only once or twice a year.—Correspondent

PIA flights’ cancellation

CHITRAL, July 16: MNA from Chitral Shahzada Mohiuddin has criticised the PIA management for frequent cancellation of flights on Peshawar-Chitral route on technical grounds, which has destroyed the tourism industry.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, he said the people of Chitral had become weary of the attitude of PIA management. He said Chitral district was still heavily depended on the operation of PIA flights and their repeated cancellation had affected them adversely.

The lawmaker complained that he missed a number of sessions of National Assembly and standing committees due to the unjustifiable cancellation of flights and that he will take the matter on the floor of the house.

He asked the airline’s management to either repair the planes or purchase new ones to save the airline from collapse.

Mr Mohiuddin blamed the government for the deteriorating situation of the national flag carrier.—Correspondent

Murder accused arrested

NOWSHERA, July 16: Police claimed on Monday to have arrested three accused on charges of involvement in a murder case.

District Police Officer Mohammad Hussain told a press conference here the police arrested three alleged killers after investigation into the murder of Farzand Ali, resident of Mera Mughalki, who was killed last month.

The DPO said a team comprising SP investigation Israr ud Din Bacha, DSP Akora circle Abdul Sumad Khan and SHO Akora Fazl-i-Subhan arrested one Abdul Hameed alias Teera during a raid on a mobile phone shop in Kalu Khan village in Swabi district.

During interrogation, the accused revealed that Farman, Nazar, residents of Ismaelia, Swabi, had killed Farzand. The the police team arrested both of them during a raid in Ismaelia village. The DPO said the police also recovered the murder weapon from them.—Correspondent

Polio workers terminated

KHAR, July 16: The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday terminated its four senior staff members of the anti-polio programme in Bajaur tribal region, an official said.

The four officials were working as union council polio workers (UCPW). Their services were terminated for their unsatisfactory performance, the official told Dawn.

“A new list of officials working with WHO on polio campaign is in the final stage and they would be issued termination orders soon,” the official added.

He said the organisation had received a number of complaints against these workers during the anti-polio campaign, adding the decision of their termination was taken at a high-level meeting.

“Several show cause notices and warnings had been issued to them but they did not satisfy the seniors,” he added.

He said the WHO was monitoring the performance of all its staff working in the anti-polio operation in the region.—Correspondent

Truck with explosives seized

KOHAT, July 16: The police seized a truckload of explosives and weapons at the Tableeghi Markaz checkpost on Parachinar road in Hangu on Monday.

Official sources said the truck and the two alleged terrorists were taken to unknown place for interrogation after their arrest. The truck contained about 200 kilogram of explosives, thousands of bullets and weapons which were being smuggled from Kurram Agency to Hangu by two terrorists. The names of the alleged terrorists were not being disclosed.

The officials said it might be attempt to carry out terrorism bid on the occasion of the visit of the chief minister to Hangu, but it could not be confirmed as interrogations of the accused were in preliminary stage.—Correspondent

New price list issued

PESHAWAR, July 16: District Administration Peshawar on Monday issued a fresh price list of different edible items. In the revised price list rates of 14 items, especially rice, have been increased from 6 to 18 per cent while prices of 14 items have been decreased.

The administration has directed the merchants, shopkeepers to ensure its display on their workplaces within 48 hours.

All the price magistrates have been assigned duties to enforce the new price list till July 19 and take stern action against those violating the government decision.

The decision was taken at a meeting held here with Peshawar District Coordination Officer Mohammad Javaid Marwat in the chair. Special magistrates, EDO health, rationing controller, TMAs’ officials, district food controller, office-bearers of various traders’ bodies attended the meeting.

The rates of vegetables and fruits, meat, chicken, milk and yogurt were not fixed in the meeting.—Bureau Report