Toy blast toll rises to 3

PESHAWAR, Dec 25: Two minor brothers, who were seriously injured in the toy bomb explosion on Saturday, succumbed to injuries at Lady Reading Hospital on Sunday.

They were identified as Zakirullah, 8, and Subhanullah, 6, sons of Sayed Qayum, resident of Shabino Garhi, Urmar Mina, located on the outskirt of the capital city. Their third brother Sadam, 12, was killed in the explosion.

Both the minor brothers were admitted to the ICU of the hospital.

According to the father of the children, one of his sons had found a toy outside the house, which he brought inside and was playing with other brothers when it exploded.

An official of the Urmar police station told Dawn that they didn’t know the exact shape of the toy bomb because all the victims remained unconscious till their death. Though an FIR has been registered but no one has been arrested so far.—Bureau Report

Antiquities recovered

MANSEHRA, Dec 25: The police have recovered costly antiquities in a raid from a house in Jander Banda Street near Ashoka rocks on the Karakoram Highway. Archeologists have been asked to reveal the history of the sculptures and also determine their exact value.

District Police Officer Mansehra Ijaz Ahmad Khan, sources said, is personally heading an investigation into the matter as a sub- inspector and three policemen of the city police station are allegedly involved in smuggling of antiquities.

Beside police officials a gang of the antiquity smugglers from Mansehra and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is involved in smuggling of sculptures.

The district police officer is expected to hold a press conference in his office today (Monday) about the seizure.—Correspondent

Accused to be held: IGP

KOHAT, Dec 25: The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kohat region, Masood Khan Afridi, who visited the family of gang-rape victim Uzma Ayub on Sunday, said so far 29 police officials had been suspended for negligence in dealing with this particular case.

He assured the family of early arrest of the main accused policeman, Ibraheem, who allegedly shot dead the brother of the victim, Alamzeb, near the district courts to stop them from pursuing the rape case.

Mr Afridi said three policemen, including a DSP, SHO and a constable, had been sent behind bars after registration of case against them.

He said the 29 suspended policemen, against whom departmental inquiry had been initiated, would be expelled from the department if found guilty.

He asked the police to immediately arrest the policeman Ibraheem who had been nominated in the FIR.

He ordered the local senior police officers to provide security to the affected family.—Correspondent

Nawaz’s birthday observed

MANSEHRA, Dec 25: The workers of Pakistan Muslim League-N on Sunday observed 63rd birthday of party chief Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif in Oghi.

In this connection a function was held at PML-N office, which was attended among others by Oghi chapter president of the party Umer Khattab advocate and secretary general Rafique Swati.

The office-bearers and workers jointly cut the birthday cake and extended the greetings to each other.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Khattab and Mr Swati highlighted the role of Mr Sharif and said that the former prime minister would pull the country out of energy, poverty, unemployment, political and economic crises.

They said that nation was with PML-N ‘because of the great leadership of Mr Sharif’.—Correspondent

JUI-S public meeting

PESHAWAR, Dec 25: Chief of Jamiat Ulma-i-Islam-S and the Defence Council of Pakistan, Maulana Samiul Haq, will visit Mardan today (Monday) where he would meet with senior party leaders to discuss future strategy.

He would also condole with Maulana Waseem over the sad demise of his father Maulana Saleem Jan alias Qabil Ustad and will offer Fateha, says a press release issued here on Sunday.

Maulana Samiul Haq will also address party workers at the residence of former deputy speaker KP Assembly, Ikramullah Shahid, and formulate strategy for upcoming public meeting at Liaqat Bagh Rawalpindi on Jan 15.—APP

Students get winter wear

PESHAWAR, Dec 25: Women Institute for Supply Chain Excellence (WISE), UK, distributed sweaters, scarves and woolen caps among needy students of Malakand Division.

Talking to APP, spokesman of the NGO Hasnaat Khan said the goods had been distributed to facilitate poor segments of the society.

He said that president of the NGO Javed Iqbal had paid visits to public and private schools of Malakand, and on his directions sweaters, scarves and woolen caps were distributed among the needy students.

He said funds had been provided to government higher secondary school Toda Cheena, Lower Dir for purchase of furniture and digging of well at government girls middle school Matkani to provide clean drinking water to students. Special assistance grant for digging of another well was also provided to residents of Hisaar Baba.—APP