DERA ISMAIL Khan: Two people drowned in the Indus River near Ramak area of Paroa tehsil here on Sunday, a rescue official said.

Rescue 1122 spokesman Aizaz Mehmood said that former pro-vice-chancellor of Gomal University Prof Bakhtiar Khattak and National Bank Paroa branch manager Qamar Bilal Kundi went for fishing near Ramak area, but both drowned in the river.

Soon after receiving information about the incident, the rescue workers reached the spot, retrieved them from the water and shifted them to the District Headquarters Hospital, Dera, where doctors pronounced them dead, he said, adding that a third person was pulled out from the waters alive and was also shifted to hospital.

Meanwhile, by-elections on vacant seats of different village and neighbourhood councils would be held here on Sunday (today).

The relevant authorities finalised arrangements for the by-elections.

The police have finalised a comprehensive security plan to maintain law and order during the local government by-polls, an official said, adding that under the plan, foolproof security would be ensured at all the polling stations.

`The election staff would have special security arrangements to ensure free and transparent by-elections,` the police official said.

The official said that implementation of the election code of conduct for political workers and candidates would also be ensured on the polling day.