KHYBER: A passer-by was killed and another injured by police firing near the Takhtabeg checkpost in Jamrud tehsil of the Khyber tribal district here on Sunday.

Officials, however, insisted that the ‘unfortunate’ passers-by came in the path of the firing when the police opened fire on a suspected car which they had signalled to stop on suspicion of carrying narcotics, but the driver fled.

They said that two persons riding a motorcycle and hailing from Bara area were hit by the police bullets when the police fired at the fleeing car near the checkpost.

They said that one of the injured persons, namely Bilal Khan, later succumbed to his injuries, while his friend was treated for his wounds in a local hospital.

The police claimed to have later intercepted the suspected car and recovered nine kilogrammes of charas and an unlicensed pistol from it. However, the driver of the car managed to escape.

Later, relatives and representatives of political parties and civil society activists held a protest demonstration at the Bab-i-Khyber against the killing of a young man in the police firing. The protesters also blocked the road for some time. They demanded an immediate enquiry into the firing incident and killing of an innocent tribesman.

Later, the protesters dispersed peacefully, clearing the road for traffic.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2023