LAKKI MARWAT: Killing of three men by unknownassailants sparked protest as relatives of deceased and villagers took the bodies to Lt Adnan Shaheed Chowk at Tajazai and closed the busy Peshawar-Karachi Highway for vehicular traffic on Monday.

The murder of three people took place near Goraka Shah Hussain area in the limits of Ghaznikhel police station of Lakki Marwat district. The police officials said that the first shooting incident occurred on a dirt track at 4am wherein, one Saleh Khan was killed by unknown attackers.

They said that Muhammad Farooq and Naqeebullah were killed in the second firing incident that occurred at 4:30am in the same locality.

“The slain villagers were brick kiln workers and they were on their way to work,” police officials said.

Another complainant, Hazrat Bilal, told police that at least nine armed men suddenly appeared and attacked them, killing his brother Muhammad Farooq, 22, and a cousin Naqeebullah, 34.

He said that his family had a murder enmity in the area, and he could identify the killers.

Later, the relatives of deceased, along with villagers, closed the Indus Highway to protest the murder of innocent workers.

The closure of busy highway caused many hardships for transporters and commuters in extreme hot weather.

Police said that they had registered separate cases against unknown killers under relevant sections of law and began investigation.

COPS SUSPENDED: At least twelve policemen, including assistant sub inspectors, were suspended from service over links with smugglers of non-custom paid vehicles in Lakki Marwat district, said a police spokesperson on Monday.

He said suspended officials included ASI Asif Khan, ASI Amir Amin, HC Tahir Khan, HC Muzamil Shah and Constables Habibur Rehman, Zainullah, Javed Khan, Azharuddin, Javed Khan, Wahid Khan, Qayyum Khan and Amanullah.

He further said that the separate charge sheet and statement of allegations would be issued to the suspended officials.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2024