SWAT: A quick response by locals and police officials in the Swat valley thwarted attacks on the Wenai police post in Matta tehsil, and the Malam Jabba police station, late on Monday night.

However, one police official sustained injuries in the first shooting at the Wenai police post.

The retaliation came after an announcement was made through a mosque informing locals of the incident, calling on them to respond.

Armed locals quickly gathered and stood alongside the police, forcing the attackers to flee.

In quick succession, attackers opened fire on the Malam Jabba police station during the night.

Hearing the gunshots, locals carrying their arms came out to assist the pol­ice. The attackers once ag­­ain escaped after being met with retaliatory fire from both police and residents.

After the late-night attacks, Matta residents took to the streets, chanted slogans against the assailants and vowed to stand with the law enforcement agencies. Earlier on Sept 27, elders in Swat declared that locals should arm themselves and stand up against miscreants in case militants opened fire in any part of the valley.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2024