NOWSHERA: The station house officer of Azakhel police station and a head constable were killed, while a sub-inspector sustained injuries when a train ploughed into their official vehicle at a level crossing here on Tuesday.

Police said that SHO Khadmeen Khan and head constable Ziaur Rehman died instantly, while sub-inspector Akhtar Hussain was critically injured when their vehicle was overrun at the Azakhel level crossing by Khushal Express coming from Karachi to Peshawar.

The police officials had gone to review security arrangements for the JUI-F congregation to be held in Azakhel from April 7 through April 9.

On their return, the train hit the official vehicle and dragged it along the track. The bodies were brought to Pabbi Hospital for autopsy.

The injured sub-inspector, Akhatar Hussain, was rushed to Mian Rashid Hussain Shaheed Hospital, Pabbi, from where he was shifted to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar.

Later, the funeral prayers of the deceased were held at Nowshera police lines attended by a large number of people, including police officers and political figures.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2017