SWAT: A police officer was martyred and another sustained injuries during an encounter with drug smugglers at People’s Chowk, Mingora, late Thursday night.

The police said SHO Manglawar police station Rahim Khan and his team were pursuing two notorious drug smugglers – Sharif Khan alias Sharifay and Ahmadzeb – following a tip-off regarding their activities.

“When the police closed in on the suspects, they opened fire on the police team,” said Moin Ali, a spokesman for the district police officer. “SHO Rahim was martyred on the spot, while Muharrar Attaullah sustained injuries.”

In retaliation, the police fatally shot one of the smugglers, identified as Sharif Khan, a resident of Banjot. However, the second suspect, Ahmadzeb, originally from Shangla and currently residing in Fizagat here, managed to flee.

The funeral prayers for the martyred SHO were offered at Javed Iqbal Shaheed Police Lines, attended by regional police officer Irfanullah, DPO Nasir Mahmood, SP Badshah Hazrat and other senior officials.

A police contingent paid tribute to the officer with a ceremonial salute.

Inspector Rahim was laid to rest with full state honors in his ancestral graveyard in Manpitey, Khwazakhela.

Born in 1967, he joined the police force in 1990, and was due to retire in 2027 at the age of 60. Efforts were underway to apprehend the fugitive smuggler.

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2024