SWAT: The district administration on Monday placed ban on use of explosives for mining and other related activities for three months.

A statement, issued by office of deputy commissioner, said that in the wake of the recent terrorist activities in Swat, all the licences allowing detonation of explosives for mining and other related activities were cancelled. It said that all the activities related to explosive material were banned in Swat for three months.

The statement stated that mining and other activities involving explosives would be banned until further order.

After enjoying 12 years of peace, Swat witnessed an incident of terrorism on September 13 when eight persons, including head of a village peace committee and two policemen, were killed in a remote-controlled bomb blast at Ghlo Kandaw near Bara Bandai area of Kabal tehsil.

Also, several elders and elected representatives received telephone calls and messages from militants for payment of extortion. The incidents sparked protests in the district. The protesters, including civil society members and local elders, demanded of the authorities to ensure peace in Swat.

After the widespread protests, a large number of security forces entered Swat and established checkposts in Kabal and Matta tehsils. Internet facility has also been suspended in both the tehsils for the last two weeks.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2022