Briefs...

Two dacoits killed in encounter
By our correspondent
MULTAN: Two robbers were killed in a police encounter near Makhdoom Rashid on Monday. Talking to newsmen, Sadr SP Khalid Rauf said that three robbers snatched Rs 600,000 from a man at Shah Rukn-e-Alam Colony and fled towards the vegetable market. The victim immediately informed police, who rushed to the spot and started chasing the dacoits. On seeing police, the dacoits opened fire on them. Police also retaliated. As a result, two dacoits, who were later identified as Waseem and Riaz, were killed on the spot while their third accomplice Ahmad managed to escape.

BDS defuses bomb near school: SDPO
WAH CANTT: A locally made bomb carrying half kilogram explosive was defused near a school located in Wah Cantt on Monday.Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Saleem Khatatk informed that some students spotted a suspicious bag in a dust bin outside a school and informed the school administration.Later law enforcement agencies rushed to the spot and shifted the suspicious bag to a ground where Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) defused the explosive device.Police have registered a case and started further investigation.

Anti-polio campaign begins
By our correspondent
LAHORE: An anti-polio campaign in Punjab commenced on Monday. Around 18 million children below five years of age are being administered drops during the campaign.According to a press release issued here on Monday, the campaign will continue for three days (16-18 February) and vaccination teams will administer polio drops to children below five years throughout the province. Other than fixed centers, around 3,5000 mobile teams are taking part in the campaign. Director EPI Dr. Munir Ahmed urged parents to ensure their children were fully vaccinated.

‘Stop work on Regi Lalma Township’
By our correspondent
PESHAWAR: The elders from the Kukikhel Afridi tribe of Khyber Agency have asked the government to stop development work on Regi Lalma Township and resolve the land dispute. “The disputed land measuring almost 20,000 kanals is the property of the Kukikhel tribe,” claimed PTI Fata leader Shahzad Afridi. He said thousands of tribal families had been living in the area for decades. “Where would we go if we were evicted,” he asked. They said the government must negotiate the issue with the tribal elders.

21 Hindu Yatrees arrive at Katas Raj
By our correspondent
CHAKWAL: Some 21 Hindu Yatrees on Monday reached Katas Raj to attend ritual ‘Shivratry’.The Yatrees, including 12 men and 9 women, were led by Mehandar Singh Pal.Mehandar said he has brought message of love and peace from India.He thanked the Pakistani government and the district administration for making excellent arrangement and foolproof security measures for the Yatrees.The Yatrees will stay in the country until February 18.
Bomb defused in Peshawar graveyard
PESHAWAR: The bomb disposal unit (BDU) experts on Monday defused an improvised explosive device (IED) planted in a graveyard near the shrine of Rehman Baba in the limits of Agha Mir Jani Shah Police Station. The locals got suspicious after spotting a bag while digging a grave. The police and BDU experts were called out who defused the IED weighing 1.5 kilograms. It was probably planted to target those attending a funeral.