Face-off: Security personnel, VDC members attacked during search operation

Unidentified persons opened fire when joint operation started on tip-off

MINGORA: Unidentified persons attacked security force personnel and village defence committee (VDC) members during a joint search operation at the junction of Koza Bandai and Bara Bandai areas of Kabal tehsil on Friday.

The security force personnel and VDC members received a tip-off about the presence of militants in the area. They had started a search operation when unidentified people emerged from the nearby mountains and started firing on the personnel and VDC members.

The personnel and VDC members retaliated, however the unidentified men managed to flee the site unharmed.

Soon after, the security forces cordoned off the area and started searching for the culprits. A curfew was also imposed in the area. Consequently, the main road leading to Matta tehsil was closed for traffic, causing trouble to commuters.

“We were going to Gwalerai village in Matta tehsil, but the road was closed for traffic as we learnt that there was curfew imposed from Koza Bandai to Ningolai area due to which we took the route of Khwazakhela Road,” Bilal Ahmad, a resident of Mingora, told The Express Tribune. “The curfew extended our journey to over four hours.”



The law-enforcement agencies have tightened security owing to recent incidents of target killing of VDC members and attacks on security personnel.

The attacks on security personnel have been on a rise not only in Swat, but in other districts of the province as well.

Recent attack

On May 23, a VDC member, along with a policeman, was killed in an ambush by unidentified men in Bara Banda area in Matta tehsil.

SHO Rahim Khan had said the assailants opened fire on VDC member Muhammad Khan and two of his guards, Bakht Baidar and Bilal, early in the morning.

“Muhammad Khan died on the spot while both of his guards were injured,” Rahim Khan had said, adding Baidar succumbed to his injuries at the hospital while Bilal was in critical condition.

At the time, head of a peace council in Swat, Syed Inamur Rehman, had said the assassination of the VDC member sent a panic wave across Swat.

Decisions followed

After the attack, a meeting was held at Mingora police station on May 29. It was attended by residents of the area and local government representatives.

Addressing participants at the moot, Swat DSP Habibullah had said collaboration and coordination between the police department and VDC members was indispensable to ensure sustainable peace in the region.

According to Habibullah, over 50 VDC members have fallen victim to militants and anti-state elements recently.

At the time, the DSP had said the public in Swat was reluctant to share information with the police as there is a lack of trust.

A press conference was also held in this regard. On the occasion, Reconciliation Committee Chairperson Haji Rasool Khan had said the people of Swat are brave and would never succumb to pressure imposed by militants. He had suggested tribespeople and traders should be allowed to carry weapons to protect their lives.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2016.