SHIKARPUR, July 26: The stand-in driver of a bus, Farooque Shah, was killed while five people, including the main driver of the bus, were seriously wounded when a group of 25 highwaymen opened fire near Lanju Laro on Khanpur-Kandhkot road on Tuesday morning.

The bandits signalled the driver of the Karachi-bound bus (PA-360) coming from Swat to stop. The bandits opened fire on the bus when the driver refused to stop.

As a result of the firing stand-in bus driver Farooq Shah, who was on the steering, was killed on the spot.

The main driver, Faizullah, and four passengers identified as Khalilur Rehman, Abdul Ghafoor, Sher Ali and Abdul Jabbar, all resident of Bannu, were seriously injured.

The injured were brought to the Civil Hospital, Shikarpur.

The bandits escaped after firing.

Later, the transporters blocked the Khanpur-Kandhkot road in protest. The road was opened to vehicular traffic after assurances by the police officials.

The Naperkot police station registered a case.

INJURED: A donkey cart driver, Janib Mangi, was killed and five passengers including three women riding a donkey cart were seriously injured when a speedy coaster (JB-9840) coming from Jacobabad hit a donkey cart near Bohi Quba, Dakhan-Ratodero road on Tuesday.