Briefs...

Three special students injured in school fire
By our correspondent
BAHAWALPUR: Three students received burns when fire erupted in School for Special Children, Hasilpur on Wednesday. Sanaullah and Ali Raza were shifted to CMH Bahawalpur in a critical condition, while the third student was treated in Hasilpur. Assistant Commissioner Waseem Anwar Khan told The News that the fire had erupted due to coal fire, which was lit by students to warm up in the classroom. He added that the school building was partially damaged due to the fire.

Shots fired at polio team in Muzaffargarh
By our correspondent
MUZAFFARGARH: An unknown person fired two shots at a polio team in Chowk Sarwar Shaheed here on Wednesday. DCO Hafiz Shaukat Ali told The News that LHWs Tahira Manzoor and Nasreen Akhtar were administering vaccine to children in Street No 3, Mohallah Islampura, when the attacker opened fire at them. He added that both of them took refuge in a nearby house and no one was injured in the incident. DPO Rai Zameerul Haq said that they had registered a case against the attacker who was said to be 25. EDO Health Dr Athar Iq1bal and other officers reached the spot. They said that female staffers were feeling themselves insecure in remote areas. Meanwhile, the incident spread panic in the area.

Three criminals arrested after encounter in Sukkur
By our correspondent
SUKKUR: The Khairpur police claimed on Wednesday they arrested three criminals in injured condition after an encounter. The CIA police of Khairpur engaged dacoits in an encounter in which three alleged criminals, identified as Zulfiqar alias Bhutta Mari, Anwar Ali Shabani and Amir Solangi were injured. Police arrested the three and shifted them to Civil Hospital Khairpur. Police said all of the arrested criminals were absconding and were wanted in a number of cases.

Swat police arrest two dacoits in Buner
By our correspondent
MINGORA: Two dacoits, involved in Swat robbery, had been arrested in Buner district on Wednesday, police officials said.Talking to reporters, Deputy Superintendent of Police Barikot Circle, Darwaish Khan and Station House Officer Amjad Ali said that last month two dacoits robbed the house of Abdul Wahab in Ghalegi village. They said that the owner was injured for offering resistance at the time of robbery.He said that the police launched investigation and raided a house in Buner district where both the dacoits identified as Bakht Alam and Khaista Rehman, hailing from Buner district, were arrested. The police also seized arms from them, he added.
Canadian MP visits Peshawar CMH
By our correspondent
PESHAWAR: Salma Ataullah Jan, a Sanator from Canada, visited the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) to enquire after the health of injured students of the Army Public School on Wednesday.She said that she was devastated when heard of the attack at the APS and she delivered a brief speech in the Canadian Senate later that day. “I wanted the children affected by this tragedy to know that they are not alone, that the Canadian people were thinking of them and sending support,” she said, adding that the Pakistani Canadian community was deeply saddened by the attack and many vigils were held across Canada in remembrance of the students.

Student mauled by lion in zoo
By our correspondent
BAHAWALPUR: A 15-year-old student was slightly injured by a lion in the zoo here on Wednesday. Naseeb of Ridan Basti with his five classmates had truanted from school and visited zoo. The staffers repeatedly asked them to be away from the lion cage, but they ignored the instructions. In the meantime, the lion attacked and slightly injured Naseeb. The Rescue 1122 provided first aid to the injured and later shifted him to BVH for vaccination.

Rally against privatisation of Wapda
By our correspondent
LALAMUSA: Gepco City subdivision employees on Wednesday took out a rally against the proposed privatisation of Wapda. The staffers locked the offices and took out a rally, which was led by SDO Mian Khan. They were chanting slogans against the proposed privatisation of Wapda. They were also carrying placards and banners. They said that they would not allow privatisation of Wapda. They also warned of suspending power supply.