Security forces allegedly shot dead a mentally handicapped civilian in Kuza Bandai area of Kabal tehsil here in Swat on Sunday on suspicion of ill intent. According to locals, Zahir Khan Bacha, a resident of Kuza Bandai, was mentally challenged by birth and was not capable of living on his own, so he used to roam the streets of the area. On Sunday morning, he was roaming on the roads of Kuza Bandai as usual when security forces ordered him to stop for checking, which he did not acknowledge given his state.
The security forces personnel got suspicious and opened fire on him, believing him to be a suicide bomber, and seriously injured him. Locals rushed to the spot and took him to the hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. Police did not file a murder case complaint. Security forces had shot dead another citizen in Khuwaza Khela some 35 kilometres from Mingora days previously.
