KOHAT: The police have arrested a gang of proclaimed offenders led by a former policeman in the restive Nakband area during an operation on Friday night. The gang was involved in murders, extortion and kidnappings.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, district police officer Shafiullah Gandapur said there were five FIRs of murders and extortion lodged against the ex-policeman, namely Hazib Ali Shah.

He said the police also destroyed mountainous hideouts and bunkers of the outlaws and extortionists, who had let loose a reign of terror in Kohat. He said the operation was led by SP operations Bilal Ahmed.

Mr Gandapur said the police also seized three hand grenades, handcuffs, masks, three Kalashnikovs, two shotguns, five rifles, two pistols, chargers and thousands of cartridges from the outlaws.

The DPO said other gang members included Israfeel, Samad Khan, Nazar Khan, Mohammad Bashir, Rafique, Ashoor and Hameed Gul.

Meanwhile, the police arrested a constable of the elite force from Shakardara area on Saturday for his connections with ice drug sellers. The police arrested him with 200 grams of ice. The police launched a departmental inquiry against him after having him booked, according to a statement.

TAX OPPOSED: Residents of the posh KDA Township have criticised the authorities for imposing ‘exorbitant’ tax on transfer of properties (houses).

In a statement issued on Saturday, chairman of the property dealers association Shah Mehmood said the government had levied a 15 per cent tax on transfer of property, which was only two per cent in other provinces, terming it unfair. He said the residents reserved the right to move court against the ‘unjust’ tax if it was not withdrawn.

Dr Inyat Orakzai, a resident of the town, said he had constructed a house at a cost of Rs20 million. He added that he had been sent a letter by the authorities, asking him to pay Rs16,000 tax every year despite the fact that gas, electricity and water supplies were disruptive and no cleanliness was ensured in the area.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2022