Security concerns: 11 arrested during search operation in Charsadda

QWP postpones commemoration of leader Hayat Sherpao’s death anniversary

SHABQADAR: Eleven suspected militants and their facilitators were arrested in Shahbaz Khan Korona area of Shabqadar during a joint search operation on Saturday morning.

Murad Shah, an official of Khwaja Was police station, confirmed that a search operation was conducted and said the suspects were shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation. The official added all such operations were part of routine work after the attack on Bacha Khan University.

Events delayed

Qaumi Watan Party delayed a memorial to mark the death of former governor of the then North West Frontier Province, Hayat Muhammad Khan Sherpao. He was killed in a bomb blast in front of the history department of University of Peshawar on February 8, 1975.

Special Assistant to K-P CM on Technical Education Arshad Khan Umerzai told QWP workers that they would be informed about the next date and venue of the event. However, he suggested they continue with their preparations. He was speaking at a gathering in Shabqadar.

When asked, a senior leader of the party present at the gathering told The Express Tribune the date and venue might be announced by next week. He said the reasons behind the delay could be weather conditions and security.

He also pointed out that law enforcement agencies were hesitant to show the green light to such gatherings after the BKU attack. “We will decide about it when we get a clearance.”

He said the death anniversary would usually be commemorated out in the open at Sherpao village, but this time the occasion would be held indoors.

Earlier, Awami National party also postponed events to mark the death anniversary of party leader Abdul Wali Khan on January 26 after the BKU terrorist attack.

A few days ago, political parties in Charsadda called the district a sensitive place where ANP and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl leaders were recently attacked. The district’s sole university also suffered a devastating terrorist attack on January 20.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th, 2016.