Locked in: Matta remains under curfew, search operation continues

Sniffer dogs being used to trace VDC member’s killers .

MATTA: A security forces’ search continued in Matta, Swat on Sunday, following the murder of a yet another village defence committee (VDC) member and the policeman guarding him on Saturday. According to Matta police, a curfew was imposed in the area soon after, causing residents mobility problems.

Unidentified people shot dead VDC member and local Awami National Party (ANP) leader Ashraf Khan. The unidentified attackers had been waiting for Ashraf and opened fire at his car just outside the leader’s house. Ashraf’s security escort, policeman Nadar Khan, sustained bullet wounds in the shooting and later died at Saidu Teaching Hospital.

Matta Bazaar, the main hub of the tehsil, has also been closed off since the attack, causing problems for locals.

“My family was going to buy a sacrificial animal from the market a day ahead of Eid, but since a curfew has been imposed and the market has been closed, we have been confined to our houses,” said Iqbal Zada, a local.

Another resident Hafeezul Haq said, “People usually purchase sweets and other items a few days before Eid. However, the market has been closed and I could not even buy shoes for my children.” Residents urged the security forces to lift the curfew as soon as possible so Eid celebrations can continue.

Meanwhile, sniffer dogs are being used in the search operation to trace the target killers, but officials of the security forces denied commenting on the progress. However, locals claimed a few suspects had been taken into custody.

Since September, four members of village defence committees have been killed in the district.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2014.