NOWSHERA/TANK: Two policemen were shot dead in Nowshera and Tank districts here on Friday.

A constable from the Punjab police was killed and two others, including a civilian, sustained injuries when their vehicle came under attack in the limits of Pabbi police station in Nowshera.

Police sources said two constables, Mohammad Shahbaz and Mohammad Bilal of Sheikhupura police along with a civilian, Mohammad Irfan, were on way to Peshawar in their vehicle when it came under attack near Pashtun Gahri area by unknown assailants.

The sources said Mohammad Shahbaz died on the spot while the two others were injured who were bought to Mian Rashid Shaheed Memorial Hospital, Pabbi. Later, they were shifted to Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar.

A spokesman to Nowshera DPO confirmed the incident, saying further details would come to surface after proper investigation. However, he said the incident seemed to be result of a family dispute as a car was chasing the vehicle of the policemen from Punjab.

In Tank, an alleged militant opened fire on a police checkpost on Tank-South Waziristan road, killing a constable.

DSP Omar Daraz Khan said when constable Mohammad Tariq Kundi stopped a rickshaw on Lateef checkpost and asked for ID card from a passenger identified as Shahidullah Mehsud, the man opened fire on the cop inuring him critically. The assailant, a resident of Grahphatar, managed to escape the scene. The injured constable was rushed to DHQ hospital, Tank, where he succumbed to his injuries.

DSP Daraz Khan said the accused was relative of a commander of the outlawed TTP, identified as Shehryar Mehsud.

Meanwhile, the police raided the militant’s house and arrested three members of his family.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2016