NEWS IN BRIEF

Published April 21, 2011

Police interrogates HT workers PESHAWAR, April 20: Police here are interrogating four activists of proscribed organisation, Hizbut Tehrir, in a case of planting explosives outside the house of a Jamaat-i-Islami leader, it is learnt.

The four accused -- Rizwan Ahmed of Abbottabad, Mohammad Nazir of Faqirabad, Zahoor Khan of Batkhela and Hassan Khan of Hayatabad -- had been arrested on April 17 during an anti-US protest at Qaisa Khwani Bazaar.

They had been sent to judicial lock-up on the second day of arrest. But the police on Wednesday sought two-day custody of the accused from an anti-terrorism court to interrogate them in the attempted sabotage case.

An official of the Faqirabad police station told Dawn that they were not charged with sabotage in the FIR, however, they were under interrogation in the case. —Bureau Report

Girl commits suicide KOHAT, April 20: A young girl committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substance in Sherkot area along Hangu highway here on Wednesday.

The girl, Iram, daughter of Nawaz Ali, was rushed to the Women and Children Hospital where she breathed her last. The family of the deceased said that she went into her room and took some poisonous thing.

Meanwhile, an attempt to smuggle thousands of cartridges of Kalashnikov from Darra Adam Khel was foiled near toll plaza of Indus Highway in Lachi Town on Wednesday.

The police stopped a car near the toll plaza and on search found 11,000 bullets of Kalashnikov which were being smuggled to Lakki Marwat. The police arrested the driver, Tiaz Khan, and impounded the vehicle. —Correspondent

Four hurt in firing SWABI, April 20: Four traders belong to Rawalpindi were injured when unidentified bandits opened fire on their coach here on Wednesday, police said.

The traders were on their way to meet local farmers and businessmen when they came under fire in Jalbai area of Chota Lahor, a police official said.

He said that that the bandits signalled the driver to stop but he tried to speed away. The criminals opened fire and as a result Mohammad Juniad, Mohammad Ajmal, Jamshid and Haleem were injured. They were taken to the Civil Hospital, Chota Lahor. —Correspondent

Family looted LAKKI MARWAT, April 20: Unknown bandits posing as policemen looted a family in Third Canal area near Kot Kashmir in the precincts of Tajori police station late on Tuesday night.

A police official told Dawn that eight bandits, who were reportedly in police uniform, knocked at the door of one Sard Ali. “They told the inmates that they were looking for Sard Ali’s son Gul Zaman,” the source maintained, saying that the bandits entered the house and looted cash, gold ornaments and other valuables. After getting information, a police contingent reached the spot and launched a hunt in the area but no arrests could be made till filing of this report.—Correspondent Patient appeals for help PESHAWAR, April 20: Shahid Aziz, 28, a resident of Dheri village of Mardan district, has been suffering from Wilson’s disease has appealed to the government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and philanthropists to help him in his treatment.

Wilson is a disease that is caused due to build-up of copper in the central nervous system, which results in neurological symptoms likes speech problems, swallowing or uncontrolled movements. Shahid Aziz is unable to speak and gradually losing his eyesight. One of his arms and a leg are also not functioning properly.

At the moment, writing SMS is the only source of communication for him. Doctors have suggested him treatment abroad, as there is no such facility in Pakistan. He can be reached at phone number: 0312-9364612. —Bureau Report

Recovered amount distributed PESHAWAR, April 20: The National Accountability Bureau on Wednesday distributed recovered amount of Rs.15.353 million among different government departments and affected people at a function here on Wednesday.

The cheques were distributed by NAB Director General Brig (retd) Mohammad Musaddiq Abbasi. Directors NAB, secretaries of respective government departments and a number of affected people attended the function, says a press release. Detailed briefing about different cases of embezzlement was given by the investigation officials on the occasion. —Bureau Report

Two kidnappers arrested HARIPUR, April 20: Haripur police claimed to have arrested two alleged kidnappers and recovered a hostage from their custody here on Tuesday evening.

Police said that three alleged kidnappers travelling in a Suzuki van offered lift to Mohammad Akbar of Kalinjar village near Adda Darband. The kidnappers held him at gunpoint and snatched Rs60,000 cash, an ATM card and a cellphone and escaped towards Abbottabad Road. However, some locals helped a policy party to intercept the van after a brief exchange of fire.

Police said that the kidnappers, Hamayun and Chanzeb, were arrested while the third one managed to escape. Mr Akbar was safely recovered alongwith the looted money and valuables. —Correspondent

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