KOHAT: Three schoolteachers were shot dead by two suspected militants in the Kach Banda area of Hangu district on Monday, officials said.

Syed Khalil Hussain, Faqir Hussain and Mohammad Khan were returning home from the Government Primary School in Kach Banda after the school time when gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire, killing them on the spot.

Faqir and Said belonged to Ustarzai area and were Shias and Khan was a resident of Kohat city and was a Sunni.

Relatives said the three were friends and had been receiving threats for some time. They had informed high-ups of the education department about the threats, but officials paid no heed to their complaint.

Police termed the incident an act of terrorism. They carried out a search operation in the area and picked up 45 suspects, seized arms and a motorcycle from Mangal Afghan refugee camp.