Schoolteacher, minor daughter shot dead in Lower Dir

CHAKDARA/ TIMERGARA: Unidentified assailants shot dead a schoolteacher and his young daughter in the Asbanr locality of Adenzai in Lower Dir on Tuesday.Police officials said the teacher, Umar Khaliq, was riding his motorcycle with his daughter to school when gunmen opened fire on them at Shorshing Khwar, killing both on the spot.

Following the attack, the residents moved the bodies to Gulabad and placed them on the road, halting all traffic in protest.Speaking on the occasion, the elders, including former nazim Taza Khan, Rashid Khan, Naeemullah, Shamsul Qamar, Qari Nazir Muhammad and teachers’ representative Mumtaz Hussain, condemned the killings and vowed to continue protests till the arrest of the culprits.

The blockade was lifted after police officials assured protesters that the perpetrators would be arrested within 72 hours.The teachers announced that all government schools in Tehsil Adenzai would remain closed today (Thursday), warning of a district-wide closure if the suspects were not caught within the deadline.

A monitoring committee comprising former state minister Malik Azmat Khan, Tehsil Chairman Feroz Shah, and Hossam Yousafzai was formed to oversee the case. Police officials said the double murder case was registered at the Asbanr Police Station. “We are investigating the case and hope the culprits will soon be brought to justice,” said DSP Fakhar Alam.

Boy Drowns: Meanwhile, a 13-year-old boy drowned in the Panjkora River near Khall on Wednesday, was recovered dead, officials said.Rescue 1122 Lower Dir said its divers, along with local volunteers, launched a search operation soon after receiving information about the incident. The boy, identified as Hasnain, was recovered and shifted to hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.The Rescue 1122 administration urged the public to avoid swimming in rivers and deep waters and to immediately report any emergency by calling helpline 1122.