‘Militant’ killed in Mardan search operation; soldier injured

MARDAN: A man was killed and three others were arrested by the security forces during a search operation in Katlang tehsil and its adjoining villages in Mardan district early Monday, official sources said.
Also, security officials said a soldier of the Pakistan Army was injured in exchange of fire with suspected militants in Matta village in Katlang.
The residents said a large number of troops arrived early morning and clamped curfew on several villages, including, Matta, Ghundo, Shamozai, Badar Banda, and Sawaldher town. They asked the locals through loudspeakers to stay indoors.
The troops besieged a house in Matta village. The villagers heard heavy gunshots after the troops arrived in the area.
Security officials said one militant was killed and three were taken into custody during the search operation in Matta.
They said a soldier was injured in the exchange of with the militants.
The villagers said that the man killed during the operation was a local identified as Gul Qadir, son of Samar Khan
According to the villagers, the sons of Samar Khan had links with the militants. Two of his sons have already been killed over their alleged links with the militants.
A few years ago, one of his sons, Fazal Qadir was killed during an exchange of fire with the security forces in his village. His second son died in detention.