CM Amir Hoti has brush with death

A roadside bomb targeting Chief Minister Amir Haider Hoti’s motorcade went off just movements after the CM convoy passed the site on Monday. According to police the explosive device fixed to a motorcycle exploded movements after the chief minister’s motorcade passed through Mallara area on Swabi-Jehangira road. It merits a mention here that Chief Minister, Amir Haider Hoti was on an official visit of Swabi district on Monday to inaugurate Topi-Swabi and Swabi-Jehangira road. Police said the chief minister reached Swabi via helicopter and while being driven to the site to inaugurate the road and on way the CM’s motorcade was targeted at Mallara area. When the chief minister was informed about the blast he refused to change his programme and inaugurated the road as scheduled. He later also addressed a public gathering in the area. After the incident, security forces cordoned off the area and started search operation. Police said at least four suspects were arrested during the search operation. Meanwhile, four hours after the first blast, a bomb attached to bicycle exploded in Shewa Adda chowk in Swabi district, leaving eight policemen injured. The injured include seven constables and an inspector, who were rushed to Kalu Khan hospital for emergency treatment and later they were shifted to Mardan for further treatment. The injured were identified as inspector Murad Khan, constables Waris Khan, Shad Ali, Khurshid, Iqbal Hussain, Rashid Bahadar, Yasin and Sadiq.