Swat target killings: Another peace committee member shot dead

MATTA:

Peace committee member Akbar Ali, who was also part of the Qaumi Watan Party (QWP), was shot dead by unidentified men in Durushkhela, Matta on Sunday.

According to the police, Ali was going to Matta Bazaar with two of his nephews when unidentified men opened indiscriminate fire and killed him on the spot. His nephews narrowly escaped.

The body was shifted to Matta Hospital and handed over to his family after a post-mortem.

Police cordoned off the area soon after the incident and arrested two suspects who were shifted to an unidentified location for further inquiry.

The target killing of peace committee members has caused much unrest among residents. They have demanded that the culprits be immediately arrested and asked law enforcement agencies to ensure better protection of locals.

The district cabinet of the QWP and civil society members strongly condemned the incident.

QWP District General Secretary Fazal Rahman Nono said: “Our party demands that law enforcement agencies nab the attackers immediately, otherwise we will record out protest,” he said.

Last month, another peace committee member Yaqoob Khan was shot dead in Matta Bazaar by unidentified assailants who also managed to escape.

People from all walks of life have questioned the role of law enforcement agencies in Swat and said there have been brazen target killings in the valley.

“There have been dozens of targeted attacks which have killed many innocent people, but no one has been arrested as yet. It is the responsibility of the police and security forces to provide security,” said Zaman Ali, a civil society member in Matta.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2013.