MANSEHRA: A huge fire gutted offices and residences of administration officials, judges and police officers in Pattan, the district headquarters of the newly-created Lower Kohistan district on Monday.

The fire was stated to be caused by an electricity short-circuit.

“The huge flames destroyed the government buildings, reducing all the official record to ashes,” DSP Pattan Abdul Rehman told reporters. The fire, which broke out late in the evening, engulfed offices and residences of deputy commissioner, assistant commissioner, judges and police.

Mr Rehman said that policemen, locals and fire tenders were struggling to bring down the fire.

He said though there was no loss of life reported the police would search for the bodies after the blaze was completely put out. The DSP said apparently the fire was erupted because of an electric short-circuit, but the police would further investigate the matter.

Abdul Hakeem, a local who was present on the scene, told reporters that the flames could be seen from far off areas.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Ill omens
12 Feb, 2025

Ill omens

IT sometimes appears as if those struggling for an independent judiciary have needlessly burdened themselves with...
Sunken dreams
12 Feb, 2025

Sunken dreams

ANOTHER tragedy has struck Pakistani migrants seeking a better future. A boat capsizing off the Libyan coast has ...
Hate in India
12 Feb, 2025

Hate in India

HISTORY shows that rulers use hate speech to provoke hate crimes and ‘othering’ among communities. Indian Prime...
IMF scrutiny
Updated 11 Feb, 2025

IMF scrutiny

Strengthening foundations of the economic superstructure will help make the economy competitive and boost growth.
Shadow voices
11 Feb, 2025

Shadow voices

OVER the weekend, another ‘open letter’ addressed to the army chief and attributed to former prime minister ...
Paradise at a premium
11 Feb, 2025

Paradise at a premium

PAKISTAN’S recent triumph at the New York Travel and Adventure Show 2025, winning the Best Partner Pavilion Award,...