Under fire: Two constables targeted in separate attacks

SHANGLA/ MARDAN:

A policeman was killed when unidentified gunmen opened fire at him as he was heading to work in Aloch area of Shangla district early Sunday morning.

Police official Sarbali Khan said constable Mian Syed Ali was on his way to the station at around 2:40am when the incident occurred. Khan added the deceased was deployed at Aloch police station and the attackers gunned him down near the station.

“Upon hearing gunshots, police rushed to the spot and found Ali’s body lying in pool of blood,” said Khan. The official added the body was shifted to the local basic health unit for autopsy. The report revealed the constable had been shot twice in the face and chest.

Initial investigations revealed Ali had an enmity with Yahya Khan and Muhammad Ali. However, when police arrested the two men during a pre-dawn raid, both claimed they had nothing to do with the attack.

Attacks on police personnel have been on the rise in Shangla district. On April 1, two police officials were severely injured when unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade at their check post in Mortang area of Poran tehsil.

On March 29, five police officials including a DSP were injured when a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle in Bisham area of the district.

Mardan

Unidentified motorcyclists opened fire at a police constable on Sunday afternoon, leaving him severely injured,

in Par Hoti area of Mardan. Amjid Khan, an official of Par Hoti police, said Muhammad Laiq was on duty at Uch Nehar checkpoint. At around 2pm, he signalled two men on a motorcycle to stop for routine checking. However, the men opened fire at Laiq instead.

Police rushed to the spot following the incident and shifted the wounded constable to Mardan Medical Complex. A case was later filed against the assailants.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2013.