Gas blast kills 2 children

PESHAWAR, Dec 21: Two children were burnt to death and five others sustained severe burn injuries when fire broke out inside a house at Jander Gali Street of Nauthia early on Wednesday.

The victims were identified as Khani Gul (3) and his two-year-old sister Aalia. The children’s father Kamil of Parachinar and mother Asma Bebi are among the injured. The other injured included Najma (30) and Alia, daughters of Ashiq Ali and Afshan (9), daughter of Kamil Hussain. The fire also brunt the household items and destroyed the building.The locals said the family had shifted to a rented building just two days ago. They said they heard a blast early in the morning followed by cries of the inmates.

An official of the Gulberg police station said the blast took place due to gas leak. —Bureau Report

32 outlaws held

KOHAT, Dec 21: The police and personnel of elite force arrested 32 outlaws, including four proclaimed offenders, during search operation in various parts of the district on Wednesday.

The action was taken in far flung areas and along the border of tribal Orakzai Agency, including Shakardarra, Lachi, Mitha Khan, Mian Garhi, Kharmato, Jarma, Ustarzai, Ublan and Ghamkol Afghan refugee camps. Three small machine guns, eight rifles, 14 pistols, 12 kilograms of hashish and hundreds of cartridges were seized from the accused. —Correspondent

Police officials suspended

KARAK, Dec 21: DIG Kohat range Masood Afridi has suspended DSP (headquarters) Karak for showing negligence in the case of alleged molestation of a young boy by a seminary teacher.

Police sources said on Wednesday that DSP Noor Mohammad Khan was suspended on the directives of IGP.

The sources said DSP Takht Nusrati Fazal Subhan and additional SHO Takht Nusrati police station Walayat Khan were also suspended by the DIG in the murder of Alam Zeb, brother of alleged gang rape victim Uzma Ayub. Both the DSPs have been asked to report to the CCPO Peshawar.

Meanwhile, collector customs Islamabad Akhter Zaman Khattak died of cardiac arrest on Wednesday. Family sources said he felt pain in the chest and was shifted to a private hospital in Islamabad, where he died. He would be laid to rest in Tarkha Koi village in Karak. —Correspondent

US donation for police

PESHAWAR, Dec 21: The United States donated four bomb disposal vans and 100 motorcycles to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police at a ceremony held at police headquarters here on Wednesday.

According to a statement the equipment is being provided under the police assistance programme implemented by the US Embassy's narcotics affairs section.

US Consul General Marie Richards paid tribute to Pakistan's security forces at the event, saying, “I would like to praise the courage and dedication of the police of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

“It is their commitment to duty that protects the people of Peshawar and KP from criminals and violent militants. I hope that the equipment we are providing today will help them to carry out their duties safely and effectively in future,” she said. To date, the United States has committed $75 million in assistance to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police to build capacity and improve security across the province. —Bureau Report

Cardiology conference

PESHAWAR, Dec 21: The 20th three-day international cardiology conference will be held at Peshawar on Dec 23.

Several international cardiologists from different countries, particularly from the US, Iran, England and Gulf States will participant in the conference.

This was announced by Khyber Medical University vice-chancellor Prof Dr Hafeezullah while speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday.

He said the conference would comprise 27 workshops and 48 sessions.

The VC said that the conference was aimed at group discussion, sharing of information, studies, and observations regarding the increasing heart diseases in order to overcome the problems. —Bureau Report

Rs50,000 for Oghi bar

MANSEHRA, Dec 21: District bar association president Shahjahan Khan Swati on Wednesday gave Rs50,000 for purchase of furniture to the Oghi bar association.

Mr Swati said that he would leave no stone unturned to serve the lawyers fraternity in the district.

Mr Swati said lawyers should also play an active role in the early disposing of the cases to pass on the relief to the litigants.

Oghi tehsil bar president Alamzab Tanoli thanked Mr Swati for his financial assistance to the bar. —Correspondent