KOHAT, Jan 1: The anti-corruption department (ACD) has booked executive engineer of communications and works department and a contractor for embezzling Rs2.5 million in a water supply scheme in Hangu. Officials of the regional anti-corruption office, Kohat, told Dawn on Tuesday on phone that the ACD, Hangu, conducted inquiry into reports of embezzlement by the XEN, accountant and a contractor in the water scheme in Thall tehsil of Hangu.

The investigators found that the trio had embezzled Rs2.5 million in the project. They said that the ACD has registered a case against XEN Mubarak Hussain accountant Hamid Hussain and contractor Azhar Hussain.

The department has contacted high-ups of the works department for the arrest and trial of the officials.

19 ARRESTED: Police arrested 19 outlaws and seized weapons and drugs from their possession during operation in different parts of the district on Tuesday.

Spokesman for the district police said that the operation was conducted in jurisdictions of Cantt, Lachi, Shakardarra, Ustarzai, Gumbat and Junglekhel police stations. As a result, seven proclaimed offenders and 12 other outlaws were arrested.

The weapons seized include three Kalashnikovs, one kalakov, two shotguns, 29 pistols and 26 kgs of hashish. Meanwhile, unknown terrorists lobbed a hand grenade at a house in Merozai area overnight Tuesday.

The police said that the terrorists targeted the house of one Farooq at around 1:30am and fled. However, the blast did not cause any casualty or damage to property, they said.

The Saddar police have registered report on the complaint of the victim.

SECTION 144: The administration has imposed Section 144 in Kohat district for seven days in connection with security for chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).

Keeping in the view the general threat of terrorism, district coordination officer Zakir Hussain has banned pillion riding, display of arms, gathering of five or more people, etc.

The entry of Afghan refugees would also be banned on the occasion, while all vehicles entering the district from tribal areas and other districts would be thoroughly checked.