LAKKI MARWAT: Karak deputy commissioner Shakeel Ahmad Jan has directed authorities to ensure registration of all unregistered seminaries and initiate action against illegal and undocumented foreigners, including Afghan nationals.

He issued these orders while chairing a meeting of the district coordination committee in his office on Tuesday.

The participants included additional DC Sahibzada Samiullah, assistant commissioners, police and intelligence officials and heads of relevant departments.

They discussed matters pertaining to misuse of social media platforms for spreading hate against state institutions, registration of seminaries, terror financing, and smuggling.

Also sectarianism, possession of illegal arms, ammunition and explosives, encroachments and surge in beggary also came under discussion.

Mr Shakeel said spreading false propaganda against state institutions and hateful and defamatory content on social media would not be tolerated at all and those found involved in such activities would be dealt with under Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). He stressed coordinated efforts to curb terror financing and smuggling of weapons and contraband.

The DC ordered authorities to launch anti-encroachment and anti-beggary operations and ensure adherence to traffic laws by transporters and residents.

He asked jail officials to start counseling sessions for inmates in collaboration with the social welfare department.

“Besides such sessions, prisoners should also be equipped with vocational and technical training for their successful reintegration into society,” he said.

Meanwhile, the killing of an elderly man and injury of his two relatives and a neighbour by terrorists triggered a gun battle between peace committee members and assailants in the Begukhel area of Lakki Marwat district late on Monday.

A police official said that the terrorists attacked villagers near their house, killing Gul Badshah, 65, and injuring his brother, Khan Badshah, 56, and son, Naseer Khan, 25, and neighbour Munawar Khan, 58.

The attack led to a fierce gunfight between peace committee members and terrorists that lasted one hour.

Injured Naseer Khan told police that people stepped out of their houses after hearing gunshots at midnight and were attacked by armed men with light and heavy weapons.

He said he, his father, uncle and another relative were injured in the attack.

“My father Gul Badshah succumbed to injuries on the spot. Members of the peace committee returned fire and there followed an exchange for nearly one hour. Later, committee members shifted the injured to the hospital,” he said.

He said around three dozen terrorists had come to the village to attack members of the peace committee who used to guard the area at night.

“The assailants also used rocket and grenade launchers, destroying heaps of harvested wheat,” he said.

Mr Khan said the main gate of the house was also damaged in the attack.

Police said they’re investigating the incident after registering a case against assailants under the law.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2025