Swat violence: Four-year-old dies in militant attack

SWAT:

A four-year- old girl was killed by unidentified militants Thursday night when they attacked the residence of her uncle, who is also the president of a defence committee at a local village in Swat. 

According to the Malam Jabba police, the militants opened fire on Fazal Ghani at his residence, critically injuring him and his niece, Samreen.

The two were rushed to the Saidu Sharif Group of Hospitals, where, according to the staff, Samreen succumbed to her injuries. Ghani remains in critical condition.

A search operation was launched in the area. Jai, a remote area of Union Council Ser Telegram, located at a distance of 25 kilometres from Mingora, is close to Malam Jabba – once a militant stronghold.

A similar targeted attack on a local peace committee occurred last Thursday in the Mangaltan area of Charbagh tehsil, in which two peace committee members were killed.

After the successful military operation against the Taliban in Swat, defence committees were formed in the former Taliban strongholds, to ensure cooperation with security forces.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2012.