Abducted: 10 labourers kidnapped from school in Kurram

Premises burned down to ashes.

PARACHINAR: Unidentified men torched a government-run primary school in Sarqa, central Kurram Agency on Sunday night.

An official of the political administration told The Express Tribune, they also kidnapped 10 labourers who were residing in the school premises.

“The arsonists are believed to have links with a militant organisation,” he added.



According to details, no casualties were reported since the school was closed at the time.

“However, a part of the school was occupied by 10 labourers who were working on a project nearby,” the official said. “We believe the labourers have been kidnapped by the arsonists.”

“Most of the labourers belong to Karak,” the sub-divisional officer investigating the incident told The Express Tribune. “None of the abductees were from the area and efforts are under way to trace their whereabouts.”

According to the official, the men also set fire to two trucks and one pick-up van parked on the premises.

“So far, the investigation has revealed about 1,300 litres of diesel were used to burn down the entire school,” he said. “The officials also suspect the attack was carried out by 12 militants.” An official from the communication and works department said the school was completely burnt down.

“Effort are under way to investigate the incident and arrest the culprits.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 11^th, 2015.