CHITRAL, Jan 11, 2010: The number of crimes registered a decline during the last year as the number of criminal cases dropped to 2,164 from 2,363 in 2008 in the district.

According to the district police data, 12 cases of murder, 14 attempted murder, 43 injuries and six cases of kidnapping were registered during 2009. Only one case of rape was reported compared to four in the previous year.

Similarly, 13 cases of theft, nine cases of sniper attack and a case of robbery were registered. One case of motorcycle and two car thefts were also registered during last year which was a new trend in Chitral. Sixteen fatal traffic accidents occurred while 577 drivers were booked by the traffic police for violating traffic rules.

The number of cases registered under the Hudood Ordinance declined to 324 from that of 416 in the previous year while 73 cases were registered under the arms act. The district police registered 129 cases under the foreign act, mostly against Afghan nationals for their illegal stay in the country.  

The police recovered 92kg charas, 5kg opium and 696 litres of liquor. The illegal arms and ammunition recovered during the year included 11 rifles, 62 automatic guns, 11 pistols, seven daggers, 313 rounds of fire and 3 Kalashnikovs. Forty-eight proclaimed offenders were nabbed by the police who were involved in heinous crimes.

According to the data obtained from the foreigner’s registration branch of the district police, 337 foreigners visited the district as compared to 824 during the previous year. The sharp drop in the number of tourists was due to the military operation against the Taliban in the Malakand Division.—Zahiruddin