PESHAWAR, March 17: The Collectorate of Customs Peshawar has ordered an inquiry into the Nowshera firing episode in which two civilians were killed and two others sustained bullet injuries on Friday.

A press release issued here on Saturday clarified that the customs mobile squad stopped a bus, bearing registration No 2744 and coming from Peshawar, for checking.

The bus was found loaded with smuggled goods and contraband items.

The driver was directed to take the bus to Nowshera office for search, but he (the driver) refused and started resistance.

In the meantime, the press release claimed, a group of smugglers armed with rifles, pistols and lethal arms reached the venue to snatch the bus.

The armed group attacked the customs mobile party. The alleged smugglers opened indiscriminate fire on the mobile party and hurled a hand-grenade.

The customs staff retaliated in self-defence. As a result of firing four persons received injuries. Two persons died on the spot.

Deputy collector anti-smuggling division has been directed to investigate the matter and submit his report to ascertain the factual position, the press release said.