SWAT: One student was killed and six others as well as a teacher were inj­ured on Tuesday when a cop posted outside a school suddenly opened fire at a van in the Sangota area of Swat, police confirmed.

The cop, identified as Alam Khan, was on duty in front of a private school when he opened fire on the van as students came out after classes.

Police arrested the suspect, but motive behind the crime remains unkn­own. According to the police, an investigation has been launched into the attack.

The deceased was identified as seven-year-old Aisha. Ishal, 16; Roma, 9; Wajeeha, Horain, 9; Hareem, 9; and a teacher, Nahida, 35, sustained injuries. Name of the seventh person wounded could not be known.

While talking to the media, District Police Off­icer Shafiullah Gandapur said the suspect was arre­sted immediately after the incident and an FIR registered.

“A special investigation team has been formed and I assure everyone that strict legal punishment will be given to the culprit,” he said.

The suspect, hailing from the Salampur area, has been part of the police since 2022 when he was inducted into the special force. He was suspended from the police force two times and was reinstated in 2022. He was on security duty at the school for the past three months.

The regional police officer, Malakand division, and Swat DPO visited the Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital where the injured children and the teacher are being treated. They directed the hospital management to provide the best care to the injured.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2023