CHARSADDA: The Shabqadar police foiled a sabotage attempt by arresting two suspected militants during a search operation here on Wednesday.

The police also recovered explosives, grenades and mortar shells from their possession.

Officials said a patrolling party of Shabqadar police station led by SHO Dawood Khan spotted two suspects entering the Fatimakhel cemetery.

They said one of the persons was carrying a white plastic bag.

They said police stopped the suspected persons and seized the white bag, which contained 10kg explosives, 93-feet detonating cord, three detonators, three receivers, seven RPG shells, three hand grenades and other materials.

The officials said the arrested militants were identified as Muhammad Asghar of Begzai locality of Sherpao and Jehanzeb of Charmang area of Bajaur district, who was presently residing in Zarinabad area of Sardheri.

Meanwhile, the police arrested three persons and recovered a transgender individual from their captivity.

Batgram police station SHO Gul Wali Khan said Ayan Ali alias Dolphin was on way back to Islamabad after attending a music show in Batgram area the other day when she was abducted.

He said the arrested persons had also killed a person, Fazal Mullah of Khyber district, when rival groups clashed during the music show. He said the arrested men were identified as Inam and Maqsood of Bara and Umar Khan of Qamberkhel.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2023