The spokesperson for the TTP, Malakand chapter, Sirajuddin told reporters by phone that the attack on Zahid Khan was carried out by the TTP’s men.

He said Zahid Khan, who is also member of the Swat Qaumi Jirga, was on the hit list of the TTP. He added that the TTP’s jury had also declared that some other elders in Swat have to be eliminated.

Zahid Khan sustained fatal injuries in the assassination bid late Friday while he was on way to mosque for the Isha prayers. He was rushed to the local hospital for treatment. However, due to his precarious condition the doctors referred him to Peshawar.

Zahid Khan has been vocal in criticising the Swat Taliban led by Maulana Fazlullah, who along with his fighters has shifted to Afghanistan and has been carrying out cross-borders attacks in Upper Dir and Chitral districts using Kunar and Nuristan provinces as their bases.

Meanwhile, the residents here expressed grave concern over the resumption of the incidents of targeted attacks in Swat where peace was restored after the 2009 military operation.

Attack condemned: The Swat Qaumi Jirga on Saturday condemned the attempt on the life of the president of Swat Hotels Association.

In a statement, spokesman for the jirga Ziauddin Yousafzai asked the government to track down the perpetrators and punish them in accordance with the law of the land.