According to the police, two visibly armed militants on a motorcycle were trying to enter the settled district via Metallic Road from Bara, Khyber Agency. They were shot by security forces in an attempt to stop them. One of them was killed on the spot while the other militant, who sustained injuries, was arrested and shifted to an undisclosed location.
“We witnessed the incident. Security forces also impounded the militants’ bike,” said an official of the Badhaber police station while talking to The Express Tribune.
Afterwards, a curfew was imposed in Sheikhan village and people were asked to keep away from the main road or else risk getting arrested.
“From 2pm onward, no one has been allowed to use the road. There is a massive traffic jam in the area as people are trying to reach their destination using broken, unpaved paths,” said a local elder on the condition of anonymity. He added people were happy that security forces had finally taken a strong stance against militants in their area; militants who were regularly coming and threatening people in addition to challenging the writ of the state.
“The police have turned a blind eye towards these anti-state elements; they make life miserable for locals as they stop and check you and search your pockets for mobile phones with cameras. They also take cash and vehicles from people,” said the elder about militants in the area. “Even taxi drivers are not spared.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 25th, 2014.
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