PESHAWAR, April 4: The high court on Monday dismissed the bail petition of two suspected militants charged with attacking the residence of veteran nationalist leader Afzal Khan Lala in Matta area of Swat.

A single bench comprising Justice Dost Muhammad Khan observed that keeping in view the evidence on record, the two petitioners, Sartaj and Jaffar Mir, did not deserve to be set free on bail.

According to the prosecution, several militants had attacked the residence and adjacent hujra of Afzal Khan Lala, a former federal minister, at Darushkhela village with heavy weaponry including rocket launchers and explosive devices, which left the premises badly damaged. However, no human casualty was reported.

The incident occurred on Aug 13, 2008, and an FIR was registered at Matta police station. The suspects were charged under section 7 of the Anti Terrorism Act and several sections of Pakistan Penal Code. At that time, the militants had occupied several areas in Swat district and they enjoyed a lot of influence there due to which the suspects could not be arrested. However, later on several persons including the petitioners were arrested for the offence. — Bureau Report