MINGORA: Three suspected terrorists were killed in a joint operation of security forces and police in the Totano Bandai area of Kabal tehsil on Tuesday morning.

According to police, the operation was launched after gunmen opened fire on a police van in the area on Monday night, leaving three policemen injured. They were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Rafiullah and constables Azizur Rehman and Jahangir.

Soon after the incident, policemen and army troops reached the place of the attack, cordoned off the area and mounted a search for the attackers, said an official at Kabal police station.

District Police Officer of Swat Saleem Marwat said that when security forces and police reached Manja village, they were fired at by militants. Security forces returned fire and killed three militants who are yet to be identified.

The bodies of the militants were taken to Kabal police station for identification.

“A search operation is still being conducted to ensure peace in the area but curfew has not been imposed there,” the DPO said.

Police said that they were investigating to verify whether the slain militants were involved in recent attacks on policemen in Charbagh and Manglore areas.

Ten suspects were picked up and taken to an unspecified place for interrogation as search operation continued till late night.

Security situation in Kabal and Matta tehsils has significantly deteriorated over the past few months where members of Village Defence Committees and policemen are being attacked by militants.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2016