Police come under fire in Kurram

PARACHINAR: A police armored vehicle came under fire at Balashkhel check-post near Khar Killay, official and local sources said.

According to the police, Station House Officer Fazal Karim, along with his police party, reached the Balashkhel check-post in the armoured vehicle when the Khar Killay Committee members attempted to stop the vehicle for a search.

When the vehicle did not stop, the members of the committee allegedly fired at it, prompting the police to return fire. However, there were no casualties in the exchange of gunfire. The police said an investigation had been initiated into the incident.The Khar Killay tribesmen said that they suspected the vehicle was carrying supplies for rival tribes, which led them to open fire.

Earlier, in the Bagan area, the search of vehicles had been ongoing, where a shooting incident on January 4 had resulted in the injury of the then Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud and six others.