Manhunt: Search continues for defence committee volunteer’s killer

Curfew announcements made from Charbagh mosques asking locals to remain indoors

MINGORA: Security forces conducted a search operation in various residential areas of Charbagh, Swat on Thursday. According to locals, security forces made announcements at mosques after Fajr prayers, asking people not to come out of their houses.

“Though the main road from Mingora to Khwazakhela is open for traffic, no one is allowed to come out of their houses,” said Roshan Hilal, a local social activist. “All shops and markets have been closed while the security forces and police conduct door-to-door searches,” he added.



Earlier on Sunday, security forces killed three suspected militants during a search operation in Mangwaltan. However, they later learnt that two militants had managed to flee.

The manhunt was prompted by the shooting of Ayub Khan, a village defence committee member, by unidentified assailants on Saturday night. He was gunned down in Mangwaltan.

According to Charbagh police, after imposing a curfew, the early morning search took place in Mangwaltan, Hafizabad, Roshanabad, Kemalpur, Khwar Palaw, Shahmir, Bazar Cham, Salwekhto Palaw and Allabad. “Ever since Ayub Khan was killed in a targeted attack, a joint search operation is being conducted to trace the culprits,” said Charbagh police SHO Hayat Ali Shah.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2014.