KOHAT: A huge fire damaged trees in the Mirkheli pastures and mountains here on Thursday night. The fire was put out by local volunteers after hours of struggle.

The mountains are used by shepherds to graze their cattle and also collect firewood. The hilly resort was constructed by the British.

An elder, Shakir Bangash, told Dawn that given the scale of the fire, announcements were made on loudspeakers after which nearly a hundred people from Bamma, Kamardhand and Boraka areas reached the site, and put out the blaze using braches of trees. He said the fire damaged trees and wildlife as teams of volunteers arrived two hours after the fire broke out.

Meanwhile, the Gumbat police arrested six persons for indulging in gambling over partridges on Saturday.

SHO Riaz Hussain said acting on a tip-off they raided the place where gambling was going on and arrested six accused, and seized Rs20,600 stake money and four partridges.

He said a case had been filed against the gamblers. He said the partridges would be handed over to the wildlife department.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2024