Boy shot dead

SWABI, May 29: A 12-year-old boy was killed and two others were seriously injured when armed men opened fire on a motorcycle in Swabi bus stand here on Sunday, said police.

Mohammad Shahid, a resident of Maneri, along with his nephew, Mohammad Zaid, was going on a motorcycle when his rivals opened fire on him near Swabi bus stand. As a result, Zaid was killed on the spot, while Shahid and a rickshaw driver, Ihsan Zeb, were seriously injured. They were shifted to DHQ hospital. The injured Shahid told police Zair Akbar, Rasool Khan and Ahmaddin opened fire over them.—Correspondent

Constable killed

LAKKI MARWAT, May 29: A police constable was hit and killed by a truck near Wanda Arsala police post the other day.

Constable Dil Jan was performing duty in front of the post on Lakki-Darra Tang road when a truck (PRC-3465) struck him, wounding him seriously, an official said.

He said the injured cop was immediately taken to city hospital wherefrom he was referred to Bannu in critical condition. But he succumbed to injuries on the way, he maintained, saying, police arrested the truck driver, Shah Mohammad, and registered a case against him.—Correspondent

Woman gunned down

MARDAN, May 29: Unidentified persons broke into the house of a widow in Kunj area here on Sunday and shot her dead besides critically injuring her son.

According to police, Anwar Khan, s/o Shah Jehan of Kunj, in his report told police he was informed by people about gunshots at his sister's house and when he went there, his sister Zarshad Begum, was lying in a pool of blood while her young son, Ameer Zeb, was critically injured.—APP

Blast report submitted

KOHAT, May 29: The regional police chief of Kohat on Sunday submitted initial report of the Thursday’s suicide blast at a checkpost in Hangu, including account of eyewitnesses, to the provincial government.

Meanwhile, the police arrested 23 suspects for alleged involvement in the suicide blast during search operation in Thall and Hangu city.

The report said the vehicle used in the blast was white colour double-cabin laden with explosives. The engine number 2L2259178 had been sent to the excise department to locate its owner but nobody had yet been traced.

Meanwhile, armed men killed Nasir Khan, 45, in Tappi area on the outskirts of Kohat city and fled.—Correspondent

Fake currency

MANSEHRA, May 29: Mansehra police on Sunday arrested a man and recovered fake currency notes of Rs42,000 from his possession.

Police said Mohammad Nazir of Oghi had given fake currency notes of Rs500 denomination to the owner of an oil shop, who on suspicion informed the police.

During the body search of the accused the police recovered Rs42,000 and arrested him. Sources said police launched crackdown to apprehend the gangsters involved in the business of fake currency notes in Hazara.—Correspondent

Doctors’ body elections

MANSEHRA, May 29: Pakistan Doctors Association, Mansehra chapter, elected office-bearers for the next two years on Saturday.

Dr Iftikhar Zaidi was re-elected as president for the second term, Dr Kamal Khan as chairman, Dr Bashir Ahmad vice-chairman, Dr Jamil general secretary, Dr Abdul Khaliq additional general secretary and Dr Sajid as treasurer.

Iftikhar Zaidi reiterated that till the demands of the doctors were not met they would continue the strike across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Mr Zaidi demanded that the salary of the doctors in the province should be brought at par with the salary of the doctors of other provinces and the centre.—Correspondent

Parents’ week

PESHAWAR, May 29: The administration of Peshawar Public School and College, Warsak Road, organised parents’ week first time in more than 25 years history of the school.

Open discussions and debates were held where participants threw light on the performance of the teachers and gave suggestions to improve it further.

The parents showed reservations regarding security of their children while going to and from the school, and urged the administration to make foolproof security arrangements for the students, and also ensure discipline.

Earlier, school principal, Prof Inamur Rahman Durrani apprised parents of the various steps his administration had taken for further improvement in achieving academic excellence.—Bureau Report

Literacy rate

PESHAWAR, May 29: Minister for Hajj and Auqaf, Haji Nimroz Khan, said on Sunday the government was taking steps to increase literacy ratio.

He expressed these views while speaking at a parents' day function at Government High School Dilbori in Mansehra.

The minister claimed the ANP-led government had established writ in Swat and Malakand Agency by defeating militants.

He said country's progress and prosperity was associated with democracy and that ‘we should join hands to strengthen democracy’.

Mr Nimroz said: “Education is our top priority and the dream of achieving social and economic development could only be materialised by organising education sector in line with modern requirements”.

The minister announced upgradation of the school to higher secondary level and Rs100,000 for students.—APP