BUNER: The police arrested three suspected extortionists for asking the owner of a private medical complex for Rs2 million the other day.

Suspects Azhar Khan, Qaisar Khan and Yar Mohamad are brothers, who work at the medical complex.

The medical complex’s owner, Jehanzeb, told reporters that an unidentified man called him and demanded the payment of Rs2 million as extortion and warned that a suicide attacker would target his building if the demand wasn’t met. He said he reported the matter prompting the DPO to direct the Daggar SHO to arrest the accused.

Mr Jehanzeb said he promised the caller the sought-after payment within two days before informing the police about it.

He said when the caller along with accomplices reached near his house to collect money, the police intercepted them causing exchange of fire.

The complex’s owner said the extortionists fled without taking the money.

He said he found three complex employees missing from duty the next morning and informed the police about it leading to their arrest.

Meanwhile, a heavy marble boulder fell down from a truck, blocking the main Buner-Swat Road in Torwarsak area, disrupting traffic on Friday.

The commuters faced hardships in reaching their destinations. The students on way to the University of Buner missed their classes due to road blockade.

The infuriated students staged protest against the district administration for not taking action against the truckers for violation of traffic rules. The passengers demanded permanent solution to the problem.

Darvesh Khan of Torwarsak told this correspondent that over-loaded marble trucks were passing through the busy road without taking any safety measures. He added slipping of marble boulders from trucks on busy road posed threat to precious lives.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2019