Electrical faults: Tribesman electrocuted; six houses gutted

School watchman gunned down by unidentified assailants.

KHAR:

A tribesman was electrocuted and six houses were burnt to the ground after a short circuit in the 11KV electricity supply line in Nawagai tehsil, Bajaur Agency.

An official of the Nawagai political administration said the incident occurred in Sarkai Kandao, Lara Nawagai on Saturday. The electrical blaze was a result of a short circuit in the line which passes through a crowded area; the sparks set fire to one house which in turn caused five more houses to burn down.

Tribesman Luqman was killed after he stepped on the supply line, added the official.

This was followed by a protest, led by Sheikh Jehanzada, an elder, against Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) officials. Locals demanded the political administration look into the matter as Wapda officials have not shifted the supply line from the residential area despite several appeals.

Meanwhile, a watchman of a primary school in Salarzai was gunned down by unidentified assailants. Political administration officials said Zahir Khan, a teenager, was present at the school when the armed men shot him dead. Zahir would substitute as a watchman in place of his father. The motive behind the murder was presumed to be a long-standing dispute.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2013.