PESHAWAR, Nov 22: An anti-terrorism court here on Saturday acquitted seven persons charged with attacking a police party with explosives and injuring five officials.

The court, presided over by Akhter Zareef Khan, observed that the prosecution could not prove its case against the accused- defendants, acquitting them after giving them the benefit of doubt.

The police party was patrolling in Shabqadar on March 11, when it was attacked by some anti-social elements. Attackers allegedly hurled grenades at the police party and fired at it. Five officials were injured, including two SHOs, Fazal Kareem and Momin Khan, and three constables, Said Gul, Samar Gul and Mazullah.

An FIR was registered against unidentified culprits at the Shabqadar police station. Few days after the occurrence the police arrested the seven accused namely Rizwanullah, Muhammad Abid, Akhter Gul, Nisar, Sardar, Muzamil and Walid Gul.

The lawyer, appearing on behalf of the accused, argued that his client had been falsely implicated in the case. He contended that the policemen had not seen any of the attackers’ face as it was a night time occurrence, adding that none of the defendant had been recognized during the identification parade.

The counsel argued that the evidence given by prosecution witnesses was contradictory, proving that the case was fabricated against the defendants.