KOHAT, July 20: A local court here on Wednesday awarded death sentence on four counts and a fine of Rs400,000 to a police constable charged with killing of his four colleagues.

Constable Fahim Khan was accused of firing at and subsequently killing his colleagues -- Iftikhar Hussain, Mir Akbar, Sher Akbar and Saifullah -- in Kohat Police Lines in January 2004.

The court of additional sessions judge announced the verdict after prosecution proved its case against the accused, who is stated to be mentally deranged.

Mr Khan was dismissed for service due to his mental problems but he was reinstated by the then deputy inspector general of police, Sultan Ali, on humanitarian basis after checking his fresh medical reports.

Meanwhile, a miner was killed and two others were injured in a coalmine blast in Zarghunkhel area of Darra Adamkhel on Wednesday.

The miners were using dynamite to extract coal but they themselves could not come out from the mine in time. The killed miner was identified as Qismat Khan. Swat Khan and Amanullah received injuries in the blast.

All of the victims belong to Shangla district. The injured were shifted to Peshawar for treatment.

Meanwhile, Kohat Commissioner Sahibzada Mohammad Anees has directed Pesco officials to avoid unannounced loadshedding as it is causing unrest and anger among traders and other consumers.

Chairing a meeting at his office, the commissioner also advised the consumers to stop electricity theft for smooth supply of power to their factories and homes.

“People know that there is shortfall of electricity in the country but you should try to minimise their sufferings by observing loadshedding according to schedule,” he told Pesco officials.

DIG Masood Khan Afridi, who was also present on the occasion, advised Pesco officials to report to district police officer in case staff of any police station refused to register FIR against power thieves.

Earlier, the commissioner discussed the second phase of census in the area and directed for various steps to make the process transparent and accurate.

The district coordination officers of Kohat, Hangu and Karak, Shahidullah Khan, Adil Siddique and Javed Ahmed, Kohat DPO Mubarek Zeb, Kohat executive district officer, schools and literacy Nazeer Khan Khattak and district revenue officer Arshad Naveed attended the meeting.