Targeted: Adviser to PM orders action after PML-N leader’s homicide

Says security forces should loop in locals to catch assailants

SWAT: It was time security forces took action to curb target killings in Swat Valley, said Adviser to Prime Minister Amir Muqam who visited Swat on Friday to commiserate the death of a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader. Adalat Khan, also a member of a village defence committee, was shot dead outside his house in Shamozai on Thursday.

‘Time for action’

While talking to the media, he said people in Swat should be taken on board to nab those who are targeting the leadership in the valley. “Security forces should take locals into confidence.”

Muqam added, “Just like Adalat, many political leaders in Swat have been assassinated at the hands of target killers. The area will never be able to find another a leader like Adalat.” Muqam said the slain party member had rendered great services for PML-N as a politician.



Muqam added Adalat was always on the front line with security forces as he was also a member of the local aman lashkar or defence committee.

A valuable leader

Adalat had served as a nazim in the past and belonged to a well-known family of Shamozai with ties to PML-N. The deceased leader also contested local government elections but did not win.

According to Shamozai SHO Akhtar Ali Khan, unidentified persons opened fire on Adalat on Thursday who was initially thought to be injured and rushed to a hospital.

However, at the hospital doctors pronounced him dead.

After the attack, security forces announced a curfew in the area and started a search operation; Shamozai Bridge was blocked for all types of traffic.

Adalat’s killing was one of the three targeted murders that took place in the province on Thursday: Awami National Party leader Dost Muhammad and ANP former office-bearer Tajmeer Shah were shot dead in separate incidents in Charsadda.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2015.