BAJAUR: The provincial government on Friday provided compensation cheques to the families of four children injured in a recent mortar shell attack in Bajaur.

Deputy commissioner Shahid Ali Khan and PTI MPA Dr Hamidur Rehman gave away the cheques of Rs1.2 million (Rs300,000 each injured) to the families of the children during a ceremony, according to a statement.

Speaking on the occasion, the deputy commissioner and the MPA said that free treatment was being provided to the injured children as per the provincial government’s directives.

The children were injured during an operation in Bara Laghari area of Lowi Mamond tehsil on April 29.

Their families expressed gratitude to the provincial government and the district administration for providing them with the compensation.

The statement said three children had been discharged from hospital, while one remained under treatment at a Peshawar hospital.

Sources said that following a massive public protest, the provincial government agreed to provide compensation to the children, who were injured when a mortar fell on a house.

Meanwhile, the district administration on Friday directed the officials of line departments and Rescue 1122 to be on high alert and prepare for any emergency situation amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan.

According to a statement, the call was made by additional deputy commissioner Hamza Zahoor during a meeting with officials of line departments and Rescue 1122.

The district emergency officer of Rescue 1122 presented a detailed briefing on the emergency response plan during the meeting held to review preparations for potential emergencies amid heightened Pakistan-India tensions, said the statement.

The meeting was told that besides other preparations, an electric siren had been installed on the Rescue 1122 office to inform the people about an emergency situation arising out of Indo-Pak tensions.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2025