One dies in exchange of fire in Swat

A person died and two policemen sustained serious wounds during an exchange of fire between a group of armed men and police in Banjot area of scenic Swat valley on Tuesday.

According to reports, a group of 15 to 20 armed people were spotted patrolling near Doshai—a village at Banjot—causing alarm among the locals who came out with their own guns to protect their area.

They also informed the police which soon reached the village.

Later firing broke out between the mysterious armed group and the police. During this exchange of fire, a young man, Ali, died while two policemen received serious wounds.

“A heavy contingent of elite police officials has reached the area and cordoned it off,” said Swat District Police Officer (DPO) Shafi Ullah Gandapur.

 “The exchange of fire continues intermittently. Two policemen including Waqar Khan of Elite Force Platoon 60 have got seriously injured. They have been shifted to Saidu Sharif Hospital,” he said.

According to sources, there are 15 to 20 miscreants who have now taken refuge in a mountainous cave. However, Malakant’s Regional Police Officer (RPO) Nasir Mahmood Satti told media that there are four to five people holed up in the cave.

“I am myself overseeing the operation. Police and security forces have surrounded the cave,” he added.