Daily Times

PARACHINAR: Law enforcement agencies in a joint search operation on Tuesday arrested 22 suspects, among whom 10 were picked under the collective responsibility clause of the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) — a prerogative which only the political administration can use in tribal agencies.

The arrested men were suspected of having planted an anti-tank mine on a dirty road in Gobazna village in Kurram Agency near the Pak-Afghan border. The search operation was started after the bomb reportedly struck a passing by truck.

Official sources said that a truck driven by driver Ihsanullah was bound for Khalachi from Teri Mangal area when the incident happened near Gobazna area. However, no loss of life was reported in the attack. But the truck was partially damaged in the explosion.

Following the blast, the personnel of political administration as well as Levies Force and Frontier Corps rushed to the spot. The joint teams were headed by Assistant Political Agent, Shahid Ali Khan, Tehsildar Muhammad Naseer and Wing Commander Lieutenant Colonel Adil Pervez.

The law enforcement agencies with the help of sniffing dogs entered Gobazna village and after holding successful talks with the elders of the area were allowed to continue with the search and investigation. During the search operation the Levies and FC teams apprehended 12 suspects identified as Khushal Khan, Muhammad Siddique, Muhammad Khalid, Zamarud Kha, Rahimullah, Akhtar Jan, Abdul Samad, Said Kamal, Shoaib, Chinar Gul, Wahidur Rehman and Ghafooruddin.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Political Agent, Shahid Ali Khan, also picked 10 more suspects under the collective responsibility clause of the FCR. The arrested men were shifted to a sub-jail in Parachinar, the agency headquarters of the Kurram Agency.