GILGIT, Sept 11: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain on Tuesday distributed an amount of Rs4.2 million among the heirs of the Kohistan tragedy. Terrorists had killed 15 people belonging to Gilgit-Baltistan on February 28 at Harban Das area of Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

A ceremony to this effect was attended by senior civil officers and media men.

Speaking to media, the minister said the KP and GB governments would hold meetings very soon to work out a strategy for the protection of passengers on the Karakuram Highway.

He disclosed that a special force for the protection of KKH had been formed which comprised 270 retired army personnel, adding 120 men had been recruited while the remaining would shortly be recruited. He maintained that procurement of a gunship helicopter was on the cards to ensure foolproof security of passengers on the road.

ARRESTED: The GB police arrested a man allegedly involved in the murder of a constable. The raid on a house in Jalal Abad village the other night was led by Gilgit-Baltistan IGP Usman Zakaria. The arrested man was identified as Tanvir Hussain. Sources said the accused was traced through his cell number.

Sources said the police chief promoted two assistant sub inspectors and a head constable who had gathered information regarding whereabouts of the culprit, who had also had head money announced by the government for his arrest.

Meanwhile, unidentified people intercepted a truck at Jutal Gilgit and opened indiscriminate fire on the vehicle, injuring both the driver and its cleaner, who were father and son. The assailants took away the wounded man and left behind his son, who was removed to DHQ hospital.

TRIBUTE: The Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly on Tuesday paid rich tribute to the founder of Pakistan Quid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah for his role in liberation of Pakistan.