GUJRAT, Nov 6: Higher authorities have ordered a departmental inquiry into the anthrax episode, it is learnt.

Sources said two envelopes having no stamps and possibly containing suspected anthrax powder were received by the deputy senior postmaster (delivery branch) Abdul Hayee Siddique and junior accountant Khalid Raza. The matter was immediately brought to the notice of senior postmaster Hanif Tahir who reported it to the Civil Lines police. The matter was also brought to the notice of postmaster general in Lahore.

Talking to Dawn on Tuesday, Mr Tahir said assistant postmaster Fazal Husain Gondal has been deputed as inquiry officer. The powder recovered from the envelopes has been sent to laboratory for examination, he added.

A thorough medical check-up of Mr Hayee at the DHO Hospital revealed that he had not contracted the disease. However, he had developed some marks on his forehead, which, according to doctors, was a reaction of antibiotics he had taken.

Sources said Mr Hayee had been referred to the National Institute of Health, Islamabad, for a complete medical check-up.

ACCIDENT: A motorcyclist and his mother were killed in an accident on the Kunjah Road near Bhimber on Tuesday.

Rafaqat, 30, along with his mother, was on his way home when a speeding Hi-ace coming from the opposite direction knocked them down.