BAJAUR: The district police claimed to have arrested seven members of a gang of drug smugglers in a crackdown on drug trafficking here on Monday.

According to a police statement, seven members of a notorious drug trafficking ring involved in supply of narcotics were arrested from different areas along with a huge cache of drugs during the ongoing action.

The statement stated that the result-oriented action against the drug dealers and suppliers was launched on the directives of the district police officer.

The statement mentioned that Noor Zada of Damadola area of Mamund tehsil, Zubir Khan of Manigi tehsil Utman Kfail tehsil, Bakhtiar Khan of Shenki Derai of Utman Khail tehsil, Mohammad Hussin Khan of Pashat Salarzai, Saidullah of Inayat Kallay area of Khar and Ubidur Rahman of Thangi area of Nawagai tehsil were among those arrested during the crackdown.

It also urged the general public to support the police in the ongoing anti-drug trafficking campaign by reporting those involved in narcotics smuggling.

Meanwhile, taking to Dawn, DPO Waqas Rafique expressed firm commitment to continue vigorous action against the illicit trade of drug trafficking to eradicate the menace of narcotics. He claimed that the local people would soon see a visible decrease in the narcotics trafficking in the entire district.

ENCROACHMENTS REMOVED: The municipal and district authorities removed several illegal stalls and business outlets in Pashat bazaar after launching a joint anti-encroachments operation.

“The joint anti-encroachment drive in Pashat bazaar of Salarzi tehsil was conducted after receiving a series of complaints from the local residents about the growing illegal business outlets on both sides of the public road. The operation was conducted by the officials of district administration, tehsil municipal committee Khar, and traffic police,” said a statement issued from the office of the deputy commissioner.

The statement stated that during the action, a large number of unauthorised stalls of fruit, vegetable and other goods were removed from both sides of the road. Several items, seized during the action, were shifted to the office of tehsil municipal administration Khar.

The officials on the occasion directed the vendors to avoid placing of their goods on footpath and warned to take stern action against the violators.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2024