Two killed in separate incidents in Balakot

In a separate incident, suspect allegedly shoots sister to death

BALAKOT:

At least two women were killed and nine people including five women were injured in two separate incidents in Balakot.

According to sources, a fatal road traffic accident in a village called Paras resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to nine others, including five women.

The victims were on their way to attend a funeral in Paras when the jeep they were traveling in fell into a ravine. Village Council Chairman Muhammad Tanvir said the occupants of the ill-fated vehicle were residents of the Shohal Muazallah area. He said the jeep, bearing registration number QA453 was being driven by a man identified as Rahmat Din. The deceased and injured individuals including Safia Bibi, Hajra Bibi, Noor Jahan, Sakhawat Din, and Syed Alam were extricated from the wreckage with the help of locals and were shifted to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Balakot. The critically injured were later shifted to King Abdullah Hospital in Mansehra.

On the other hand, the unfortunate incident brought the issue X-Ray facility in the Balakot to the spotlight. Sources said an X-Ray machine is available at the THQ hospital however due to the lack of X-Ray film, doctors could not perform tests and effectively treat the injured.

In a separate incident, a 10-year-old girl lost her life after being allegedly shot by her 12-year-old brother in the Malal Pandi area within the limits of the Balakot Police Station. According to a spokesperson for the police, the police have registered a case and started an investigation. He said more facts about the incident would be brought forth.

On the same day, a seven-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted in Balakot, a suburb of Village Hassa on Monday.

DSP Circle Balakot Saeed Yadoon said at a press conference that the accused, identified as Abid Shahzad, brought the seven-year-old girl into a room to lure her into giving her some money, where he sexually assaulted the girl. The parents of the girl have speech and hearing impairments.

SHO Police Station Balakot raided and arrested the accused on the complaint of the victim's brother. A CPA sheet has been filed under section 203-376/53 PPC.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2023.