SWAT: Three people, including the son and nephew of prominent transporter and former provincial assembly candidate Afzal Khan Gujjar, were killed and several others injured when unidentified armed men attacked his convoy in the Shakardara area of Matta Tehsil, Swat, police said.
According to officials, the attack took place late at night when assailants opened fire on the convoy using automatic weapons and rocket launchers. Several vehicles were damaged in the assault, while some caught fire during the exchange.
Police said Afzal Gujjar’s son, Malik Bahram Khan, and his nephew, Nisar Khan, son of Awal Khan, were killed at the scene. A security guard, identified as retired Frontier Constabulary personnel Imran from Bara, also died after becoming trapped inside a burning vehicle.
Afzal Gujjar sustained injuries in the attack along with another security guard, identified as Muslim from Charsadda. A woman, Khadija, was also injured after being struck by stray bullets while inside her home, according to police.
Officials said the exchange of fire continued for more than an hour before a heavy police contingent arrived at the scene, secured the area and shifted the injured and deceased to a nearby hospital.
Protest blocks Mingora-Matta road
On Monday morning, Afzal Gujjar staged a protest by placing the bodies of the deceased on the Mingora-Matta Road in Shakardara, demanding action against those responsible for the attack.
The protest caused a complete suspension of traffic, leaving long queues of vehicles and disrupting travel in the area for several hours.
The demonstration ended after negotiations between protesters, police and district administration officials. Funeral prayers for the three deceased were later offered collectively, while the body of security guard Imran was transported to his native area for burial.
FIR registered, four suspects arrested
Police have registered a case at the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Police Station in Kabal. According to officials, six suspects have been nominated in the FIR, while a total of 16 individuals have been named during the investigation.
District Police Officer Muhammad Umar Khan confirmed that four suspects have been arrested and said investigations are continuing from multiple angles.
He added that search and clearance operations are ongoing in the area as authorities work to determine the motive behind the attack and apprehend any remaining suspects.
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