TAXILA, March 9: The local police on Friday rounded up 12 Afghan nationals in Taxila for their illegal stay in the country.

The police said on the instructions of the Punjab home department, a crackdown was launched against the Afghan displaced persons living in various rural and urban localities without any valid documents.

Those arrested were Habibur Rehman, Rehmatullah Khan, Wali Khan, Shoaib Khan, Hamzaullah Khan, Shah Agha, Reheemullah Khan, Azam

Khan, Abdul Wali, Jalandar Khan, Falak Naz and Kabeer Khan.

A source told this correspondent that arrests were part of security measures taken in connection with a high profile movement in the area.

Meanwhile, a truck driver was looted at gunpoint near the Gharsheen area in the jurisdiction of the Hassanabdal police station.

Shafqat Hussain told the police that he was stranded on the road after his truck broke down when he was on his way to Haripur.

Mr Hussain was repairing the vehicle when two armed persons deprived him of cash and valuables. One of the culprit was later identified as Zaman, a resident of the Gari area.

In another incident, the Wah Cantonment police arrested four persons in Gulshan colony on the charges of gambling.

Stake money worth Rs5,140 and gambling tools were also seized.

ILLEGAL STANDS: People from different walks of life have lauded the action taken by the POF administration in collaboration with the cantonment authorities against the illegal taxi stands and encroachments in the Nawababad locality.