TIMERGARA, June 23:  Officials of Malakand special police force on Saturday demanded of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to increase their monthly salary and announce special allowances for them.

Talking to local journalists, a group of special police force led by Noor Rahman said that they were appointed in police in 2009 for one year only. They said that later they were thrice given extension, but from the day one they had been paid Rs10,000 a month. They said that three years ago they were able to meet their household expenses, but now it had been difficult for them to manage their expenses in a meagre salary.

The special police force was introduced by the provincial government in 2009 when hundreds of regular police officials said goodbye to the job after receiving threats from militants in Malakand division. Similarly, over 130 police officials, including a policewoman, were killed in Swat by militants in 2009.

After the launch of military offensive in the region about 7,000 people, including retired army soldiers, were inducted in police on a fixed salary of Rs10,000 a month. Many of these policemen have now left their job, but still over 3,000 special police force officials are working in different districts of Malakand region.

The officials said that like regular police they had been rendering sacrifices in the fight against militants. Mr Rahman said that due to rising inflation they had been unable to afford their expenses. They demanded of the government to increase their monthly salary and announce a special package for them.

ARRESTED:  Asbanr Adenzai police on Saturday arrested two accused in a murder case.

Talking to Dawn, SHO Haidar Zaman said that on a tip-off they raided a house and arrested Saeedur Rahman and Umar Rahman, residents of Khawas Asbanr. He said the accused had killed a man three days ago.

Meanwhile, Khall police arrested four accused and recovered four Kalashnikovs from their possession at Rani area.

Talking to media persons, a Khall police official said that four people, including Fazal Wadood, Mohsin, Mohammad Hussain and Hazrat Hussain – all allegedly armed with Kalashnikovs, were arrested and sent to the lockup.