Strike observed across Chitral against suspension of work on Lowari Tunnel

Gul Hamaad Farooqi

CHITRAL: On the call of Tahafuz -i – Haqooq – i – Chitral (Organization for protection rights of Chitral), trade unions and transporters observed complete shutter-down and wheel-jam strike in Chitral district, against the .

Former MNA from Chitral Abdul Akbar who is also an activist of Jamat Islami had yesterday announced a strike and he had appealed to all segment of society to protest against suspension of work on Lawari Tunnel.

Talking to this scribe he said that the federal government has transferred funds allocated for Lawari tunnel to other districts and work has been suspended on Lawari tunnel for the last 2 years without any reason. All shops, backers and hotels remained closed in the whole district, on call of the Jamat-e-Islami leader.

There was no traffic on the road and people were coming by foot from different villages to Chitral Bazar and offices.

Sources told that trade union of Drosh and other parts of the district also observed shutter-down and wheel-jam strike.

1 killed, 3 kidnapped, by militants at Ursoon village Pak Afghan border

CHITRAL: Unknown militants today attacked Pita Soon security forces post at Ursoon village, some 75 KM from here close to Pak – Afghan border . As a result an official of the “Border Police”, Abdul Ghaffar, was martyred while four constables were kidnapped on gun point and taken to the Nooristan province of Afghanistan.

The militants had earlier, at around 1 O’ clock, attacked a post of the paramilitary Chitral Force and started indiscriminate firing with heavy weapons, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Chitral, Rahmatullah Wazir, told this scribe. In retaliation, the Chitral Scouts also opened fire and, reportedly, killed one militant assailant.

After fleeing from the post of Chitral Scout, the assailants, then attacked the Police post and martyred one of the officers. They also succeeded in abducting four officials of the police force, identified as Ghaziuddin, Sher Ahmad, Khan Shuaib and Muhammad Hassan. There are reports that one of the kidnapped persons, Ghaziuddin, was able to escape from clutches of the abductors and reached back to his post later. 

According to some sources a local local person Abdul Hameed son of Abdul Hamaad also attacked the militants and snatched a Klashankove (rifle), in the process getting injured himself .

On getting news of the terrorist attack,  Commandant Chitral Scouts, DCO and District Police Officer reached Ursoon and visited the clash site. The departments are investigating the case from different angles.