TTP claims responsibility for killing Swat peace committee members

TTP spokesperson says attacks on peace committee members are proof of Taliban's existence in the valley.

SWAT/ TIMERGARA: The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the recent target killings of peace committee members in Swat.

According to a local media person, TTP spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed responsibility for the target killings and said that the attacks were proof of TTP allies still existing in Swat.

During the last two weeks, three people have been gunned down and two injured in three separate attacks on peace committee members.

A local peace committee member, Ibrar, said that the people of Swat were not in favour of the militants and did not want to see them returning.

“Peace committees have been formed to keep an eye on the absconded militants’ return and to timely inform the security forces if they find any such elements in their area. That is why, the peace committee members are targeted by them [Taliban] but we want to tell them clearly that such actions would not discourage us and we will continue with our mission,” he said.

The TTP had also claimed responsibility for attacking a 14-year-old child rights activist in Swat – an attack which received worldwide condemnation. Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head and is currently under treatment at a hospital in UK.

The Pakistan Army had claimed to have cleared the Swat valley of militants after a military offensive in 2009.

7 Afghan suspects arrested

Seven Afghan citizens were arrested during a raid by security forces on a house located in a camp in the Dir Lower district on Friday.

An official of the security forces, who wished to remain anonymous, said that around 3:00am, security forces raided a house in the Afghan Refugee Camp-I, a kilometer east of Timergara Bazar, and apprehended seven suspects including an Afghan National Army personal. He added that the camp was raided on intelligence information.

“Forces also seized weapons from the refugees,” the official said. The official also said that forces didn’t surround the camp.

“They just raided the spotted house and arrested them,” adding that they were held on suspicion and shifted to an undisclosed location for further investigation.

On September 2, one police member was killed and four were injured when their van came under attack from unknown militants in Bazarak Afghan Refugee Camp in the Dir district.