House looted

SWABI, April 4: Unidentified dacoits broke into the house of a man employed overseas early on Monday and took away cash and ornaments. The incident occurred at Sugandi village of Maini union council.

The house owner Obaidur Rehman said one of the robbers took the inmates at gunpoint in a separate room while others searched the house and decamped with Rs100,000 cash, 2,500 Saudi Riyals, 30 tola gold ornaments and two mobile sets. He said no male member was present at the house at time of robbery. — Correspondent

Kidnapped tribesmen

PARACHINAR, April 4: Kurram Agency political agent Musadaq Shah on Monday assured elders of Turi and Bangash tribes that the kidnapped tribesmen would be recovered within next few days.

A jirga comprising relatives of the forty missing persons and elders of Turi and Bangash tribes met here with the political agent. The PA hinted at progress in the recovery efforts of the kidnapped persons. He also lauded the cooperation of tribal elders in handling this sensitive issue.

Elders of Turi tribe said they had always respected and abided by the peace agreements. But, they said, the rivals had attacked the convoy of passengers in Baggun killing several people and kidnapping 40 others. They said the kidnapped people were still in the custody of the militants. The urged the government to take solid measures to recover the kidnapped people including children.—Correspondent

Dir blast condemned

PESHAWAR, April 4: Governor Barrister Masood Kausar on Monday condemned the bomb blast in Lower Dir and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives. He described it a cowardly act of terrorism.

In a condolence message, the governor while expressing sympathies with members of the bereaved families, said elements involved would be brought to justice.

He appealed to the people to maintain unity and cooperate with the law-enforcement agencies.

He said such attacks had further strengthened the resolve of the people and the government against such elements.

He also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and courage to the bereaved families to bear the irreparable loss with patience. The governor also wished early recovery of the injured.—Bureau Report

Snowfall in Abbottabad

ABBOTTABAD, April 4: Thanidyani, Nathiagali, Ayubia and other hilly areas of Abbottabad received snowfall on Sunday night, while Abbottabad-Murree road was closed for traffic from Kala Bagh onward due to slippery conditions.

Four to six inches of snow was recorded in plains while hilly areas received at least one foot snow.

Locals said the snowfall continued to lash the area for the last two days with intervals, which they added, was an exception in the month of April. The snowfall dipped the temperature below freezing point in Galyat.—Correspondent Murder case resolved

PESHAWAR, April 4: Police have resolved the mystery about death of a youth, Rasheed of Hayatabad phase-III, and arrested his two brother in-laws in the case.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday Cantonment Circle SP Shafiullah Khan said Rasheed had disappeared on Nov 11 last year and police had registered a kidnapping case on complaint of his relative Said Waris on Dec 28.

Using data from the victim’s cell phone the police arrested a woman Naureen of Pabbi, also the victim’s relative, whose disclosure led to arrest of Sajid and Haider, sons of Abdul Ghani and Usman, son of Abdul Lateef. The arrested men confessed kidnapping Rashed and later killing him by hitting his head with a wooden pot as he used to quarrel with his wife (sister of the accused).—Bureau Report

Four workers injured

PESHAWAR, April 4: Four labourers working in an under-construction building at Hayatabad Industrial Estate sustained injuries after falling from the shuttering on Monday. The injured were identified as Asad (20), Ubaid Ullah (25), Ayub (22) and Amber (22).

An official of the Rescue 1122 said they had been shifted to Khyber Teaching Hospital where their condition was out of danger. — Bureau Report

Tackling crime

KOHAT, April 4: The Kohat DPO Mubarik Zeb has asked officials to devise an affective strategy for tackling crimes and terrorism.He was addressing the monthly review meeting on law and order on Monday. Meanwhile, the bomb disposal squad defused a mortar found in the sewer pipe of the Women and Children Hospital on Monday. The mortar weighed 75mm.

Meanwhile, a policeman and his friend received burn injuries in an explosion caused by gas leak in his house in Jungle Khel. The house was also partially damaged. The constable Tanveer and his friend were taken to KDA hospital.

A mentally sick Mohammad Zahoor was drowned after falling into a well in Jabbi area. He was pulled out by volunteers. — Correspondent

E-filing of goods declaration

PESHAWAR, April 4: Frontier Customs Agents Group and All Torkham Customs Clearing Agents Association have expressed conditional consent to the order of Collectorate Customs Peshawar regarding e-filing of goods declaration at Torkham with uninterrupted power supply, DSL and other basic facilities.

These views were expressed by Customs Clearing and Forwarding Group delegation led by Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, which called on Collector Customs Peshawar Younas Khan on Monday. Chairman Frontier Customs Agents Group Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi apprised the collector customs that customs clearing and forwarding agents were ready for e-filing of every sort of shipment if these facilities were provided to them at Torkham. The delegation said due to non-availability of these facilities it was almost impossible for them to e-file goods declaration.

Younas Khan said government would soon construct a well-equipped customs port at Torkham to facilitate the clearing agents.—APP