KOHAT: Two prisoners were shot dead and a cop injured when a vehicle transporting inmates came under fire in the Ranginabad area along the Kohat-Karak boundary, police officials said.
Rescue 1122 and police teams rushed to the scene following the incident and shifted the bodies and the injured cop to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Banda Daud Shah.
According to Regional Police Officer (RPO), Kohat, Irfan Tariq, the attack targeted a vehicle carrying prisoners from Kohat prison for a court appearance in Karak. The ambush occurred at Ranginabad, located at the boundary between Kohat and Karak districts.
As a result, two inmates identified as Zohaib Khan and Nazaranullah were killed on the spot.
Police said the deceased belonged to Sarki Lawaghar area. One of the police personnel escorting the prisoners sustained injuries and was shifted to hospital for medical treatment.
Following the attack, police launched a search operation in the area to apprehend the attackers.
Meanwhile, the families of two prisoners who were killed in a police van attack staged a protest, blocking the Indus Highway at Tangori Chowk.
The protesters placed the bodies of the deceased on the highway and set tires on fire, shutting the road to all traffic. The blockade caused long queues of vehicles, creating difficulties for passengers.
The protest was led by Mudassir Ayub, president of the local organization Khattak Ittehad, who alleged that the prisoners were shot dead by police.
“Our demand is that an FIR be registered against the DIG, DPO, and the SHO involved in the incident,” said Mudassir Ayub.
He further warned that the protest would continue until the demands are met.
