KHYBER: Construction of the Jabba dam in Jamrud tehsil of Khyber district was abruptly suspended after the kidnapping of three watchmen and threats from unknown people.
Sources told Dawn that unidentified gunmen abducted three watchmen about a week ago. They said that the contractor and his staff also complained about receiving threats from unidentified persons by phone over the last few days.
They said the contractor and his staff removed construction machinery from the damsite, suspending the work.
They said the contractor and other related staff were apprehensive about their security as they also noticed movement of suspected armed men in the Jabba area during the last few days.
Officials from the district administration and irrigation department confirmed the suspension of construction work, saying work would restart after making elaborate security arrangements.
The damsite is situated in a mountainous region near the Bara tehsil, about 12 kilometres south of Jamrud Bazaar.
The idea of constructing a dam at Jabba was conceived by the then Fata Development Authority about 15-16 years ago to conserve rainwater. The government has allocated Rs8 billion for the project to provide clean drinking water to residents of Jamrud and the adjoining Hayatabad. — Correspondent