GHALANAI: Miscreants torched road construction machinery in Safi tehsil of Mohmand Agency late on Friday.

The incident took place in Dowjangi area.

An official of the local administration said the machinery was used by the Frontier Works Organisation in constructing of the main road from Nahakkai to Mamadgat.

He said after the incident, the security forces cordoned off the area and conducted a joint operation for the search of miscreants.

However, no arrest was made.

Also, an improvised explosive device planted by miscreants went off near a joint checkpost of Mohmand Levies and Khasadar Force in Karkanay area in Safi tehsil.

However, no damage to public life and property was reported.

After the blast, security forces conducted a search operation in the adjoining areas and arrested seven people under the Collective Responsibility Law of the Frontier Crimes Regulation before shifting them to Ghalanai for further investigation.

DRUG PUSHERS HELD: The political administration on Saturday arrested two drug pushers in Mian Mandi and Atta bazaars and Biazai subdivision’s border areas in Mohmand agency.

Political naib tehsildar Asmatullah Wazir told reporters here that the arrests of Swat’s Shah Azam and Mohmand Agency’s Ghufranullah were made over the complaints about the sale of drugs, especially ice, in the region.

He said the drug sellers were shifted to the Ghalanai lockup for investigation.

Meanwhile, political agent Mehmood Aslam Wazir warned that the sellers of the ‘ice’ narcotic would be heavily fined, sent to jail for 10 years and expelled from the area.

He told reporters here that tribal elders should ensure end to the sale of narcotics, especially ice, in Haleemzai and Khwezai areas to protest the health and future of the people.

The political agent said the administration would crack down on the sale of ‘ice’ both in cities and villages.

He asked elders to inform the administration about drug pushers for strict action.

During a jirga earlier this year, tribal elders had warned drug dealers that they would be driven out of the agency and their houses would be pulled down if they didn’t stop the illegal business.

However, ‘ice’ continues to sell in bazaars and even its sales have registered increase over a period of time.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2017