SWABI: Two policemen were martyred and an alleged drug smuggler was killed in an encounter here on Friday.

An official said the encounter took place in Kalabat village in the morning when a police party led by in-charge of Kalabat police post Assistant Sub-Inspector Yasir Khan was patrolling the area.

The police party came under fire from the smuggler identified as Salman Khan, resident of the same village.

He said the policemen retaliated the fire and an encounter ensued.

The official said a constable, namely Aamir Khan, was martyred on the spot, while ASI Yasir Khan was seriously injured. He was taken to Bacha Khan Hospital Complex, Shahmansoor, where he succumbed to injuries.

Funeral prayers of martyred police personnel were held in the Shahmansoor Police Lines.

Provincial police chief Moazzam Jah Ansari, DIG Mardan division Yasin Farooq, DPO Swabi Mohammad Shoaib Khan, SP investigation Fayaz Khan and other officials attended the funeral.

ASI Yasir hailed from Adina village, while Aamir belonged to Katgram village.

Talking to media on the occasion, IGP Ansari expressed deep sorrow over the death of two brave sons of the soil.

He said there were six cases registered against the outlaw, who was a threat to peace and people of the area

The encounter occurred 10 days after a policeman was martyred when unidentified assailants stormed his house in Doubian village.

Meanwhile, an FIR was registered in the Topi city police station against the killed outlaw under Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

Published in Dawn,June 11th, 2022