‘Militant killed in encounter’

PESHAWAR, May 22: A suspected militant was killed while another escaped during an encounter with police in Mattani area in suburbs of Peshawar on Wednesday, claimed an official.

The official said that police had got information about presence of terrorists in Mattani area. He said as the police moved to the locality militants started firing on them, prompting the police to retaliate. “Later during a search operation a body was recovered which was identified as Zareen Shah of Mattani,” the official said and added that he was member of the terrorist group led by Jangriz of Adezai.

The official said that the terrorists were associated with Tehrik-i-Taliban, Darra Adamkhel who were planning to attack police.—Bureau Report

Power to marble factories cut

GHALANAI, May 22: The political administration disconnected illegal power connections to eight marble factories in the Mohmand Agency on Wednesday.

Sources said that a team comprising administration and Wapda officials, levies and Khassdar personnel raided different areas of Haleemzai tehsil and disconnected illegal power connections of eight marbles factories. An official told Dawn that the crackdown was launched on the directives of the Political Agent Dr Amber Ali Khan. Dozens of marble and other factories operating in the Mohmand Agency do not pay utility bills to Wapda. Haleemzai tribal elders lauded the administration for the crackdown and said that it would resolve the loadshedding issue in the area.—Correspondent

Two with explosives arrested

KOHAT, May 22: The police claimed on Wednesday to have recovered 17 kilograms of explosives and arrested two terrorists in raids in Kharmatu locality.

The Bilitang police stopped a suspicious cyclist near a graveyard and on search found two kilograms of explosives in a bag. The accused Piayo Khan, resident of Shakori Banda, was taken to police station where during interrogation he disclosed the name of his other accomplice and a house where more explosives were hidden.

The police raided a house in Kharmatu where it found 15 kilograms of explosives, two kilograms of phosphate and 50 meters long safety fuse. An accused Abdul Wadir was also arrested from the spot. The police registered case of terrorism against the accused and launched investigations.—Correspondent

Students block road

TIMERGARA, May 22: Hundreds of students of the University of Malakand on Wednesday blocked the Peshawar-Chitral road in front of the Chakdara Press Club for more than three hours to protest delay in laptops’ distribution.

The protesting students boycotted their classes and forced other students to join the agitation against the university administration. The protesting students while chanting slogans against the administration marched on the road and gathered in front of the press club. Speaking on the occasion, the students blamed the varsity administration and heads of different departments for resorting to delaying tactics in laptops’ distribution. They said the University had got 717 laptops some four months back but those were not distributed among the deserving students. The students’ leaders also alleged that the administration was involved in pressurising students to leave their hostel rooms to accommodate their blue-eyed students.—Correspondent

Medical equipment donated

PESHAWAR, May 22: World Food Programme (WFP) handed over medical and information technology equipment worth over Rs7.4 million to the provincial health department on Wednesday.

The donation is designed to boost the quality of nutrition and healthcare services provided in seven key districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The equipment includes weighing scales, delivery tables, oxygen cylinders, emergency lights, computers and printers, according to a press release.

Dr Zafar Afridi, director general provincial health department, received the equipment from Rashida Amir, WFP deputy head of programme in Pakistan, at a ceremony.

Ms Amir said, “The WFP is providing assistance to the government institutions as part of its commitment to build their capacity to reach out to those in need of help.” “This donation will benefit provincial public health structures in the delivery of quality medical care to malnourished children and pregnant and nursing mothers,” she said.—Bureau Report

‘N’ workers seek representation

TIMERGARA, May 22: Workers of PML-N, Lower Dir have demanded of the party chief Mian Nawaz Sharif to give the portfolio of Safron (states and frontier regions) to Shahabud Din Khan, an MNA-elect from the restive Bajaur Agency.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, president of the PML-N Balambat Samiullah Khatir, and other leaders said PML-N workers were disappointed after the unexpected defeat of the party in the region. —Correspondent