SWAT: A militant was shot dead while another suffered critical injuries in a clash with security forces at Kanju bazaar in Kabal tehsil on Wednesday.

According to the police, a convoy of security forces was attacked by the militants in Kanju bazaar.

“When the convoy reached the crowded Kanju bazaar, the militants opened fire on it. One militant identified as Mukarram was killed while another identified as Nisar was injured when security personnel returned fire,” said Badsha Hazrat, DSP of Kabal tehsil, adding that two civilians were also killed.

Police seized a hand-grenade, a bulletproof jacket and a pistol from the possession of the militants.

The official said the area had been cordoned off and a search operation launched to arrest other anti-state elements.

According to an ISPR statement, members of security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Kanju area of Swat.

During the exchange of fire with members of security forces, terrorist Mukarram was killed while another was arrested. Due to firing of the terrorists, two civilians were also martyred, the ISPR statement said.

The terrorists belonged to the banned Tehreek-Taliban Pakistan, Swat, and they were involved in acts of terror against security forces, demolition of schools, extortion and targeted killings.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2021