SWABI: A policeman was seriously injured when unidentified motorcyclists fired at him near Yar Hussain police station here on Monday.

Soon after the incident, DIG Sher Akbar Khan visited the site of attack and directed DPO Imran Shahid to trace the assailants and conduct an operation.

The DPO, when contacted, said that constable Taimour Khan was attacked by the motorcyclists in Gulabad area when he was on way on a motorbike for duty in district headquarters. He said that the assailants seemed to be waiting for him. He was shot in the left shoulder, he added.

An official said that preliminary investigation suggested that the attackers wanted to shoot him in the head but luckily they missed.

The constable belongs to Doubian village. His father is also inspector in police investigation wing. The injured constable was taken to a hospital in Mardan.

The cause of the attack could be ascertained but officials said that the style of attack resembled that of militants. He has no enmity with anyone.

About 35 suspects were arrested during the operation.

DPO Imran said that entry and exit routes were monitored and the operation was continued.

SHORTAGE: Wheat flour and sugar, the two basic commodities, are not available in utility stores in the district.

A visit to different stores on Monday revealed that other commodities were purchased by consumers but they resented shortage of sugar and flour.

Local people said that they were expecting that they would easily get flour and other commodities during the PTI government but they faced a difficult situation.

Fazl Rahim, district chairman of ANP, said that non-availability of basic commodities in utility stores showed that government failed to deliver.

Similar views were expressed by other consumers, who demanded provision of the commodities.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2020