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KOHAT, Sept 10: Militants on Wednesday refused to allow officials to retrieve the bodies of three personnel of the Frontier Constabulary killed after an attack on the Kotal checkpost.
The militants had attacked the checkpost on the hilly track between Kohat and Darra Adamkhel and kidnapped 11 FC personnel on Friday night. One FC man had been killed on the spot and four personnel who had been slightly injured had managed to escape and reach the Sultanabad police post. Earlier, on Monday, the body of one of the kidnapped personnel was recovered from the Bostikhel mountains.
Militants have been rejecting repeated requests of security officials for handing over three other decomposed bodies.
Relatives of the slain FC personnel have arrived at the scene and have been holding negotiations with the militants to get the bodies. But so far the militants have not conveyed their final decision about handing over of the bodies.
Seven personnel of the Frontier Constabulary are still in the custody of the militants.
Meanwhile, security forces attacked the hilly areas of Darra Adamkhel on the Kohat side with artillery on Wednesday. However, no casualties were reported.
The bomb disposal squad also destroyed an explosive device in the Akhorwal area by blowing it up at a safe place. Local tribesmen had spotted the device and informed security officials who destroyed it.
Local people told Dawn on Wednesday that security forces had closed the road from the Darra bazaar up to the Mattani area of Peshawar, which was used by people for bringing food.
Militants, meanwhile, fired rockets on the Kohat city which landed in the Shahpur area.
Police registered a case against unidentified militants.
The Indus Highway and the Kohat Tunnel remained closed for the 13th consecutive day due to the ongoing operation in Darra Adamkhel, causing difficulties to people.
People are using the alternative routes of Kohat-Nowshera and Kohat-Peshawar via Rawalpindi, which are considered safe.
FLOUR SEIZED: The city police on Wednesday seized two trucks loaded with flour bags hidden under bricks being smuggled to Afghanistan from Peshawar on the Hangu road. The drivers were arrested.
Police said the trucks were stopped at the city police checkpost and on checking it was discovered that the trucks were apparently loaded with bricks but were carrying 600 flour bags of 80kg to Afghanistan. Drivers Dad Mohammad and Raheem, both residents of Parachinar, were arrested.
