KHAR: Two persons were killed and two others injured when unknown motorcyclists opened fire in a busy bazaar in Bajaur tribal district, officials and witnesses said.

They said the incident occurred in Inayat Kallay Bazaar late on Friday evening.

They said the victims were busy in Eid shopping after Iftari when unknown motorcyclists opened fire on them with automatic rifles.

According to the eyewitnesses, there was a great rush of shoppers in the bazaar when the incident took place.

They said the attackers fled the scene.

A police official said two persons identified as Ziaur Rahman and Sajad Khan died before being taken to hospital, while Ishaq and Nawab Khan were admitted to hospital in critical condition.

He said Isahq was later referred to a hospital in Peshawar.

No one claimed responsibility of the incident that took place two days after the killing of a health worker on Wednesday night.

The police have registered the case and launched investigations.

Meanwhile, the authorities imposed a ban on motorcycle riding in Bajaur tribal district during Eid days.

A notification issued on Saturday stated that the administration had placed the restriction after increasing accidents involving motorcycles, taking numerous lives.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2020