DI KHAN: Two guards of the local forest department were killed as a tractor-trolley carrying illegally cut timber overturned in Khari Khaisor area here on Friday.

Phaharpur range officer of forest department, Kalimullah Baloch constituted a team following receipt of information that some persons were involved in illegal cutting of trees on Chashma Right Bank Canal and raided the site.

The team allegedly caught a policeman along with nine persons red-handed with wood cutting equipment and recovered timber from their possession.

Two guards of forest department -- Mohammad Asad and Zeeshan – who were tasked to escort the trolley loaded with timber along with the nine arrested accused to Dhakki range office of the forest department. But the ill-fated trolley overturned at Mula Khel area. As a result, the two forest department guards died on the spot.

Block officer of the forest department, Amir Musa Baloch, registered a case against 10 persons, including policemen in this regard.

Secretary forest department Nazir Hussain Shah ordered an inquiry into the case and started investigation.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2017