CHITRAL: Chitral deputy commissioner Khurshid Alam Mehsud on Monday said investigations were in progress into the incident of an IED blast in Arandu area, which killed a Chitral Levies man.

Talking to mediapersons here, he said no panic should be created about the incident as the culprits would be brought to fore once the investigation was complete.

He said Chitral Levies had fully protected the country’s borders along with other security forces, and its history was replete with sacrifices of life while the martyrdom of Javedullah was an addition to it.

Mr Mehsud said the people of Arandu were not terrified in the aftermath of the incident.

Meanwhile, Commandant Chitral Task Force, Colonel Moeenuddin has termed the incident an act of cowardice on part of the perpetrators.

In a press release issued on Monday, he said Chitral Task Force had the full capability to respond to such events, and that its refrain from use of force should not be taken as weakness.

He said the cowardly act would not affect the process of fencing the Pak-Afghan border.

ANTI-POLIO DRIVE: The anti-polio campaign in Chitral was postponed due to snowfall across the district, and the new schedule will be announced as and when weather cleared.

EPI district coordinator Dr Fayaz Rumi told Dawn that although they were fully prepared to start the campaign, it had to be postponed due to the inclement weather and the continuing snowfall.

He said the Chitral DC had ordered postponement of the drive as it was virtually not possible to carry out the campaign due to closure of roads to many valleys.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2019