KOHAT: A policeman and his brother were killed and five others injured in an armed clash between two rival groups in Merozai here on Friday.

The Riaz Mohammad Shaheed police station official said that the two groups came face to face in Merozai and opened firing at each other. As a result, police constable Waheedur Rehman and his brother Hamidur Rehman of Habib group died on the spot.

Two constables, Samiullah and Ijaz, who had reached the scene to control the situation, and a passerby child Saeedur Rehman were injured. Sarfraz and Ijaz of the opponent Vaqar group were also seriously injured.

The police have registered a case of murder, attempted murder and attack on police party against nine people.

Meanwhile, in its ongoing operation the police arrested 30 suspects in Dheri Banda on Friday.

The Bilitang police carried out house-to-house search in Dheri Banda and rounded up 30 people. One repeater, one rifle , four pistols and hundreds of cartridges were also seized. The police released most of the suspects after preliminary hearing while cases were registered against illegal arms holders.

REFINERY ISSUE: Qaumi Watan Party leader Mehmoodul Islam has demanded of the government to resolve the lingering issue of construction of oil refinery and other proposed projects.

He was chairing a meeting of the party leaders and workers here. He said that the region had been producing oil and gas for the last 16 years, but 90 per cent area of Kohat division was without gas facility.

He said that both the federal and provincial governments should take steps for the development of southern districts.

He said that the government should first ensure gas facility to Kohat division and then gave the extra gas to other parts of the country.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2016