Terror bid foiled: Explosives planted near school in Hangu defused

Two killed in firing on spiritual healer’s residence in another incident

HANGU: Doaba police thwarted a terror bid in Hangu on Saturday. According to a police official, unidentified militants had planted two grenades near the boundary wall of a private school. Upon receiving information, the police rushed to the spot and summoned the bomb disposal unit. The explosives were later defused by the BDU officials. An FIR was registered. Further investigation is under way.

Separately, two people were shot dead and another was injured in Ganjano Kalay, Hangu. An official of Hangu police said unidentified motorcyclists opened fire on the house of a spiritual healer Hayat Ali Qalandar. As a result, his gunman Bakhtiar Ali, 20, and another unidentified person died on the spot. Meanwhile, a visitor Anwar was injured in the incident. The attackers managed to flee while Anwar was rushed to the hospital. Police registered an FIR.

In another incident of firing, a shopkeeper and a three-wheeler driver were injured on Bypass Road. According to a police official, two rival groups opened fire on each other, in which the driver Hashim and an unidentified shopkeeper were injured. The identity of the shopkeeper was not ascertained till the filing of this report. Both were rushed to District Headquarters Hospital Hangu where their condition is said to be stable. Investigation into the case is under way.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2015.