MANSEHRA: Police on Sunday claimed to have busted an interprovincial gang of car lifters and recovered stolen vehicles, arms and ammunition and other items from their possession.

“We have arrested four car lifters wanted by police in various parts of the country,” DSP Waheed Khan told a press conference in Oghi.

Flanked by Oghi SHO Sadaqat Khan, Waheed said the gang had booked a car from Peshawar, abducted its driver and handed him over to an accomplice in Oghi, and then fled the scene with the vehicle.

“Shehbaz Haider, the car driver, managed to escape from the outlaws’ custody and approached the Oghi police,” he added.

Recover stolen cars, motorbikes

He said a police team, formed on the directives of district police officer Shafiullah Khan Gandapur, with the assistance of Peshawar police, arrested four suspects, including the gang’s ringleader.

Those arrested were identified as Nabiur Rehman, Afaqur Rehman, and Mohammad Amir, all residents of Bannu, and Waqar Khan, a resident of Peshawar.

“One of the accused, Nabiur Rehman, had rented a house in Oghi where the car driver was kept while the others fled with the stolen vehicle,” the DSP said.

He added that legal action would also be taken against the owner of the rented house for failing to inform the police before renting the property. He said police recovered stolen cars, motorbikes, registration documents, and pistols from the arrested men.

STEEL BRIDGE: The National Highway Authority on Sunday began installing a giant steel bridge over the Kunhar River in Mahandri area, suspending traffic between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan for the next three days.

“This central facility, which links Kaghan Valley with the rest of the district and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Gilgit-Baltistan, was earlier washed away. Temporary structures have been accommodating traffic since then, but are now being replaced with a giant steel bridge to support the heavy influx of vehicles,” Nadar Khan, Balakot assistant commissioner, told reporters.

He said machinery had been deployed to ensure the timely installation of the 33-foot-wide steel bridge by June 18.

“We are optimistic that the replacement and installation of the bridge will be completed within the stipulated time, and the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road will reopen for traffic between KP and GB from Thursday,” Mr Khan said.

He advised tourists planning to visit Kaghan Valley or travel beyond Babusar Top to Gilgit-Baltistan to avoid visiting the area during the closure of the Mahandri Bridge.

According to a circular issued by the district administration, visitors may travel to Shogran via the MNJ Road, but will not be allowed to proceed beyond Mahandri. “Travellers heading to GB should avoid using the MNJ Road from Sunday to Wednesday and instead take the Karakoram Highway,” the circular stated.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2025