KOHAT, April 15: Police on Friday seized 200 kilograms of explosive material meant for mining purposes and arrested three accused near Kohat tunnel.

District police officer Mubarik Zeb told journalists that besides mining these explosives could be used in making bombs and there was a strict ban on carrying such material through the cities in view of the prevailing law and order situation.

He said that the three accused, identified as Umer Niaz, Ikramullah and Akhtar Nawaz of Jandi Khel, Bannu district, were carrying the explosive-laden pick-up (PRC-6272) from Bannu to Peshawar district.

Officials said that the accused did not belong to any banned or terrorist organisation, but had been initially booked under the terrorism act because they were transporting the explosives without any licence or permit. They said that the pick-up was stopped before its entry into the Friendship tunnel.

A few months ago the police had stopped a van carrying heavy consignment of explosives near Bannu Railway crossing in Kohat. The van, coming from Nowshera, was escorted by an official vehicle of Orakzai administration. Sources said that the accused, including a government official, were carrying an authority letter from the district police officer of Nowshera.

The officers, who had registered a terrorism case against the miners then, said that they were passing through the city without informing them and there was a strong possibility of accidental explosion.

GANG BUSTED: The law-enforcement agencies on Friday busted a five-member gang involved in stealing motorcycles and smuggling them to Afghanistan through Hangu highway.

Officials said that the gang leader, Mohammad Ghani, was a resident of Thall tehsil of Hangu district and his four accomplices, including Shahzeb, Adil, Zia and Ibrar Hussain, belonged to different parts of Kohat district.

The sources said that the gang admitted during investigation that they used to smuggle stolen motorcycles to Afghanistan.

They said that two members of the gang arrested during checking of vehicles near Nasrat Khel village on Hangu highway also disclosed names of their other three accomplices.

Police registered the case and have started investigation.

COMMITS SUICIDE: A teenage girl reportedly committed suicide by shooting herself with a pistol in Chambai area here on Friday.

It has been learnt that the girl, Sameena, committed suicide because she was annoyed with her parents over some issue.

Her body was handed over to the family after autopsy at the Women and Children Hospital.