ANP leader shot dead in Swat

Banned militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack in Mingora

MINGORA: An Awami National Party leader and former union council nazim was gunned down by militants in Mingora, Swat on Sunday.

A police official told The Express Tribune, “The deceased was identified as Jamshed Khan who was also a government contractor.” He added the ANP stalwart had gone to visit the site of an under construction government school in Teligram when three unidentified culprits riding a bike opened fire on him and fled.



He stated an FIR was registered against unidentified militants. The deceased, Jamshed Khan, was also a member of a village defense committee, commonly known as peace lashkars.

Security forces conducted a search operation in the area to nab the culprits. Curfew was imposed, while Malam Jabba Road was also closed for traffic. Police claimed it rounded up several suspects who were shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

Claiming responsibility

Meanwhile, a banned militant outfit claimed responsibility for the fatal attack on Jamshed Khan.  In an email sent to The Express Tribune, the organisation’s central spokesman Muhammad Kharasani stated that their sharp shooters targeted the ANP leader. “Jamshed Khan was the head of the lashkar and our men managed to escape after hitting the target.”



ANP’s reaction

ANP K-P President Amir Haider Khan Hoti expressed his concern over the targeted attack on Jamshed Khan and said the incident highlighted the failure of government and law-enforcement agencies. He said Jamshed Khan was not the first to be targeted. Over the last three years, a large number of ANP leaders and stalwarts had been targeted. He pointed out that the party requested the government to provide security to ANP leaders, but efforts were in vain.

Jamshed Khan had also survived earlier attacks, but was not provided necessary security by the local administration, he stated.

Hoti urged the government to take measures to curb these targeted attacks and terrorist activities, otherwise the party would take to the streets.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th,  2016.