Under fire: Two policemen shot dead in Swat

Police say too soon to term it terrorism; outlawed group claims attack

SWAT: Two policemen were killed in Derai area of Kabal tehsil in Swat on Monday. Kanju police station Incharge Amjad Ghafoor told The Express Tribune two police personnel identified as Usman and Abdul Razzaq were deployed in the area in plain clothes when unidentified assailants shot them dead.

The deceased were part of Kanju police station and had been on duty without uniform for a week.

When contacted, Kabal Circle DSP Hussain Badshah said the incident cannot be called an act of terrorism as yet. He said investigation was under way and they will soon let people know of the outcome.

Law-enforcement agencies cordoned off the area and started a search operation after the attack. In view of the situation, a curfew was imposed near the airport, while a few suspects were also arrested in connection with the incident.

Meanwhile, a banned militant organisation claimed responsibility for the attack.

On January 9, a policeman was killed while another was critically injured in Peshawar. Unidentified assailants had opened fire on a rider squad on Ring Road within the jurisdiction of Banamarhi police station. The assailants attacked the two policemen near the overhead bridge on Kohat Road.

Constables Sifatullah and Gul Wali were critically injured in the attack. They were rushed to Lady Reading Hospital following the incident. However, Constable Sifatullah succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^th, 2016.