SWABI: The district police have sought cooperation of the people to curb militant attacks, as the incidents of targeted killing have seen a surge in the district during the last few weeks.

Police officials and vaccinators running anti-polio campaigns are the main target of militants. EPI district coordinator Dr Mohammad Yaqoob was killed hardly three days ago in one such incident, shaking the doctors’ community and paramedical staff, who boycotted the upcoming anti-polio campaign on Dec 14 and demanded arrest of his killers and foolproof security arrangements.

During the last few years, the district has witnessed a number of terrorism incidents, including the killing of ANP district senior vice-president, seven personnel of security agencies and six members of an NGO besides blowing up of several educational institutions.

Police officials said that the main disturbed regions in the district included Maini, Sheikh Jana, Shewa, Naranji, Malikabad and Parmuli. According to the officials, target killers visit the district, complete their task and then immediately vanish in the periphery districts or move to tribal belt.

In a chat with this scribe, police officer Javid Iqbal said that with the start of winter the militants could no longer stay in Afghanistan and tribal terrain and some of them moved to the settled districts where they started subversive activities. He said that when the police tightened nose around militants they resorted to targeted killings.

Mr Iqbal claimed that about a month ago a militant had blown himself up at Maini mountain when it was not possible for him to escape. Three days later, four militants were killed in an encounter with the elite force in the same area, he said. Later, the militant retaliated with the killing of two traffic policemen at Aman Chowk.

Answering a question, Mr Iqbal said that he did not believe that the militant network in the district was strong, but it was true that they had local sympathizers. “The militants and their sympathizers are both our targets,” he said. Another official said that they had taken precautionary measures by increasing patrolling.

When contacted, deputy commissioner Matiullah Khan said that police had taken various steps, but the people should cooperate with the law-enforcing agencies. “People’ support is extremely critical for destroying the local network of militants,” he said.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2015