Briefs...

Militant killed in Jamrud clash
By our correspondent
JAMRUD: A militant was killed in a clash with the security forces in Ghundi area here on Wednesday, official sources said. They said that a group of militants attacked a checkpost in Ghundi area in Jamrud tehsil. The security forces repulsed the attack and killed a militant identified as Fazlur Rehman in the ensuing clash. The sources said that another militant, who sustained injuries in the clash, managed to escape from the scene.

Three more children killed in Thar
THARPARKAR: Three more children died due to the drought situation in Sindh’s Tharparkar region Wednesday. The death toll of children in the drought-hit region of Thar has risen to 269 since 105 days. Mothers suffer from malnutrition due to lack of rainfall and vegetation in the region which leads to health problems in the children. The health problems then become the cause of death amongst the newborns and children. The region continues to face food shortage whereas authorities concerned are also absent in responding to the issue.—Online

Seven die as van falls into ravine
MUZAFFARABAD: At least seven people died and seven others sustained injuries when a passenger van fell into a deep ravine at Asghar Abad, some 10 kilometers off here, on Wednesday, police said.Sources said the van, coming from Rawalpindi and heading to Muzaffarabad, turned turtle at Asghar Abad and fell into the ravine, killing seven people on the spot while seven others sustained injuries. Police rushed to the scene and had the bodies and the injured shifted to a local hospital where condition of some of the injured was said to be critical.

Man, son killed in Quetta firing
QUETTA: Unknown armed men shot dead a man and his son in Sariab Road area here on Wednesday.“A man and his son received bullet wounds when some unidentified armed men sprayed their car with a volley of bullets,” police said, adding that the injured succumbed to their injuries on their way to a hospital. The assailants managed to escape.Sariab police have registered a case.

Six held in Hangu search operation
By our correspondent
HANGU: The police arrested six outlaws, including two proclaimed offenders, and recovered arms during a search operation in Thall tehsil here, police said on Wednesday. They said the police launched a search operation against anti-social elements in the district and arrested six persons. Two of the arrested persons were said to be proclaimed offenders while the others were also wanted for various crimes. The search was carried out in Tandowar, Torpul, Yousafkhel, Qazi Pump and Spinkhawri areas in Hangu. A Kalashnikov, a rifle, two guns, a pistol and several cartridges were recovered.

Man, woman killed in clash
By our correspondent
PESHAWAR: A man and a woman were killed in an exchange of fire by rival groups in Nasir Bagh on Wednesday. Police said two rival groups traded five over a family dispute. During the clash, a woman was killed from one side while a man was killed from the rival party. The victims were identified as Saira and Nasir.

Bid to kidnap elder protested
By our correspondent
LANDIKOTAL: Tribesmen staged a protest demonstration on the Pak-Afghan Highway to condemn the kidnapping bid of a local elder here on Wednesday. Hundreds of Sultankhel tribesmen gathered in Sultankhel to stage the protest. They condemned the bid to kidnap local elder Lali Jan Afridi. They chanted slogans against the alleged kidnappers. Later, Assistant Political Agent of Landikotal Muhammad Tayyab Abdullah sent political ehsildar Daftar Khan to hold talks with the tribesmen. The official assured the tribesmen that they would investigate the incident and would punish the kidnappers.