Two militants killed in Swabi

SWABI: Two suspected militants were killed while a policeman sustained injuries in an encounter at Khazana town in Topi tehsil in the district on Saturday.

District Police Officer (DPO) Javed Iqbal told reporters that the action was conducted following a tip-off about the presence of militants in the vicinity. He added that the militants were planning to stage acts of terror in the district.

The DPO said that militants opened fire on the cops, who raided their hideout in Khazana town. The official said that two militants were gunned down when the cops returned fire.

He said that constable Hammad was injured in the clash.

Cops from various police stations, including the personnel of the Elite Force, took part in the action led by Deputy Superintendent of Police, Topi tehsil, Shah Mumtaz.

The slain militants were identified as Bilal alias Mudassir and Hussain alias Kashif hailing from Malikabad and Kalabat, respectively.

The militants were wanted by the Islamabad, Mardan and Swabi police in various cases of terrorism including the killing of anti-polio campaign in-charge Dr Muhammad Yaqoob, wildlife employee Mushtaq as well as a driver Sarwar Shah. The bodies were taken to the Civil Hospital in Topi. The police also seized three hand-grenades, two Kalashnikovs, pistols and ammunition.