LAHORE: A man was killed in Kohistan after Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel and locals exchanged harsh words over the alleged assault of a taxi driver by FC personnel on Saturday, a local newspaper reported. Dasu Station House Officer (SHO) Haq Hashmi said an argument erupted between FC personnel and a taxi driver when the taxi hit a passing FC convoy conducting a routine patrol on the Karakoram Highway.
According to the SHO, FC men got out of their car and beat up the driver, after which locals gathered on the spot and exchanged hot words with the FC personnel. The FC officials fired in the air to disperse the mob, the police official said. When the people refused to budge, they fired at the crowd, he claimed. As a result, 23-year-old Farooq received died on the spot. A resident, Alam Zeb, said alleged that the FC personnel had opened fire on civilians who were demanding the arrest of the FC constables involved in the alleged assault.
Another resident, Gul Shahzada, said Farooq was employed in a bank as an office boy. Angry locals blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and shouted slogans against FC, eyewitnesses and police confirmed.
The KKH is a major trade route which is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the protest has impacted the flow of traffic.
The SHO said talks are ongoing with an FC commanding officer for the arrest of the officer responsible for the death of Farooq. Kohistan Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Abid said a first information report would be filed against the FC officer involved. Hazara Deputy Inspector General Saeed Wazir said the KKH would be opened for traffic soon. “Justice will be served and an investigation will be launched into the incident,” he said. The FC spokesman was not available for to comment on the matter.
