Police claim situation in Khyber under control

The Capital City Police Peshawar has urged the public not to pay heed to what it described as baseless rumours, saying the situation in Bara had been brought under control.

The police also denied reports that any personnel had been abducted and said around 50 people had been arrested for allegedly attempting to create unrest.

The statement said cases would be registered against those involved in damaging public property and disrupting law and order under relevant provisions relating to terrorism and sabotage, with strict legal action to follow.

Meanwhile, clashes erupted in Bara Bazaar on Tuesday during a protest by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers against the imposition of governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with protesters setting fire to a National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) office and allegedly taking 15 police personnel hostage, according to police.

A protest by the PTI turned violent in Bara Bazaar in Khyber district, with protesters setting fire to a NADRA office, damaging government property and pelting stones at a Rescue 1122 office.

Several people, including two children, were reportedly injured in firing during the protest.

PTI lawmaker Iqbal Afridi said 11 party workers had been injured and one killed. The casualties could not be independently verified.

Khyber District Police Officer Waqar Ahmed said hundreds of PTI workers gathered in Bara Bazaar on Tuesday afternoon to protest against governor's rule. Police used tear gas and fired into the air to disperse the crowd, which temporarily broke up.

About 90 minutes later, hundreds of protesters led by provincial assembly member Abdul Ghani marched from Minar Chowk towards Bara Chowk, chanting slogans against the government. They set fire to traffic signals upon reaching the intersection, according to the account provided by the district police chief.

As tensions escalated, protesters allegedly detained 15 police personnel inside the tehsil municipal office and took away their weapons and uniforms. Ahmed said the personnel remained in captivity at the time of reporting.

Protesters also set fire to the NADRA office and pelted the Rescue office with stones. Police again used tear gas and fired into the air to disperse the crowd. Two PTI workers were injured by tear gas shells during the demonstrations, Ahmed said.

Separately, reports from Bara Bazaar indicated that several people, including two children, had sustained gunshot wounds. Further details about the casualties were not immediately available.

Protest in Jamrud

Protests were also held at Bab-e-Khyber in Jamrud, where demonstrators chanted slogans against the government's measures. Further details about the demonstration were not immediately available.

Tensions remained high at several locations in Khyber district following the protests and violence. The status of the police personnel allegedly detained by protesters, the number of injured and the extent of damage to public property remained unclear.