CHARSADDA: A traffic police constable was injured when unknown miscreants riding a motorcycle opened fire at him in Umarzai Bazaar here on Wednesday, the police said.

They said that armed bike riders opened indiscriminate fire in the crowded bazaar in the morning, injuring traffic police officer Salman Khan, who was on duty there.

He sustained serious wounds and was taken to the District Headquarters Hospital, wherefrom he was referred to the Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, in precarious condition.

The police said that the firing caused a stampede in the bazaar and the suspects fled on their motorcycle while displaying a pistol and firing in the air – a video of which also went viral on social media.

As soon as the incident was reported, police officials reached the spot and collected evidence from the crime scene.

SHO Umarzai police station Qaiser Khan lodged FIR at the Counter-Terrorism Department police station against unknown accused under sections 7 ATA, 353 and 324.

He said that the suspects came on a tip-off and attacked the traffic police officer.

Immediately after the incident, the police cordoned off the area and started a search for the attackers.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2025