KARAK, Jan 7: Police on Saturday arrested 15 co-accused of Ibrahim Shah, the main accused in the murder case of Alam Zeb, and demolished their hideouts during a search operation in Shnawa Guddikhel area of Karak.

Shah, the alleged killer of Alam Zeb – brother of rap victim Uzma Ayub – is reportedly taking shelter with some influential people and proclaimed offenders in the area.

Police sources said that a heavy contingent of Karak and Kohat police in a joint operation razed hideouts of the proclaimed offenders in Shnawa Guddikhel, the hometown of Shah. They said that heavy weapons were used in the operation.

They said that the arrested co-accused included Bismillah Jan, Noor Taji Ali Khan, Qasim Daraz, Mustaqeem Shah, Hazrat Jan, Aziz Jan, Taleem Khan, Qazi Subhan, Noor Malishah, Inam Shah, Fazal Hakeem Shah, Saqib Hussain Shah and Awal Khan, all residents of Shnawa Guddikhel, Takht-i-Nusrati tehsil. They said that weapons were also recovered from their possession.

Police also razed the hideouts of two other proclaimed offenders, Noor Badshah and Jilani Shah, who were allegedly providing shelter to Shah in the area. Karak DPO Sajjad Khan supervised the operation.

Later, briefing media persons the DPO said that investigation was underway from the arrested suspects so as to reach Shah, the main accused in the murder case. He resolved that Shah would be brought to justice soon.

Answering a question, he said that of the 13 accused allegedly involved in kidnapping and rape case of Uzma Ayub 11 had been arrested while the other two accused serving in the army would be arrested through proper channel. He claimed that security had been provided to the victim family.

DUST POLLUTION: Residents of Gandao have demanded shifting of gypsum powder factories from the populated areas, as these have been creating dust pollution in the area.

A group of the Gandao village people made this demand here on Saturday during a meeting, chaired by Noor Dali Khan. Speaking on the occasion, Noor Dali and Fayaz Khan said that small gypsum powder factories had been established in the area without any regard for the health concerns of the residents.

They said that the residents were consuming food and water contaminated with dust, which had been resulting different respiratory diseases among people of the nearby areas. They claimed that several deaths had occurred due to severe respiratory and asthma-related diseases, caused by the dust.

The elders said that they had brought the issue into the notice of the district administration, but no action was taken. They threatened strike if the administration failed to take action against these gypsum powder units within a week.