December 14, 2008	Sunday	Zilhaj 15, 1429

KOHAT, Dec 13: The residents of Shahukhel blocked Kohat-Hangu road for three hours on Saturday demanding establishment of army checkpost in the area for their security against Taliban.

The residents led by Councillor Zafar Ali gathered at Raisan Bridge located at the border of Kohat and Hangu districts to condemn the kidnapping of two FC personnel by unidentified persons from Kalaya road the other day.

The protesters said that Taliban and criminals from the rival sect kidnapped, killed and slaughtered local people on Kalaya road.

They asked for permanent solution to the problem faced by them for several years.

They said that people travelling on the said road had been feeling insecure after the new wave of sectarian violence and killing of people by rival sects in suicide attacks and firing at the vehicles.

They expressed fear that as Moharram was drawing nearer the situation could become worst therefore government should take precautionary measures in the interest of the people.

It is worth mentioning that unidentified armed men had kidnapped a naib subedar Mohammad Hilal and sepoy Zeb Khan when they were going to Kalaya, headquarters of Orakzai Agency, for duty after Eid holidays.

Two levy sepoys were also abducted two hours after the first incident on the same road.

Kohat division Commissioner Umar Khan Afridi and high-ranking army officers discussed the situation and finalised measures for the security of the local people on the said road.

Later, Hangu District Police Officer Sajjad Khan, District Coordination Officer Mujeebur Rehman and District Nazim Khan Afzal held negotiations with the protesters and assured them that their demand would be fulfilled.

The protesters dispersed peacefully at 11am after blocking the traffic for three hours.

BOY KILLED: A 14-year-old boy was killed when a speedy passengers coach and a bus hit him near Muslimabad on Indus Highway on Saturday.