Militancy: Policeman killed in assault

SWAT: A policeman was killed, while another sustained injures, in an assault by militants in Matta, Swat on Thursday. According to the Matta police, two militants opened fire at police vans while they were on routine patrol early morning. The incident occurred just outside the Matta Police Station. A militant was also killed while another managed to escape. Following the incident, the police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation. Matta Town was one of the strongest holds of the Taliban and its police station was the first police station which was converted into a Taliban station where they carried out their own activities. The area was eventually cleared of militants by the Pakistan Army.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2011.