Awami National Party Tehsil Matta President Muzaffar Ali Khan and two of his colleagues were gunned down at his residence in Shakkar Dheri on the night between Friday and Saturday. Two others were also injured as militants targeted the local nationalist leader in the insurgency-hit Swat valley. According to officials and relatives, Muzaffar, two security guards, guests and others at present at his hujra (traditional guest house) when unknown militants first hurled a hand grenade and later opened fire with sophisticated weapons.
Both sides exchanged fire which continued for some time. However, the ANP leader and two others were killed. Police Constable Abdullah and Sher Zaman, a guest, are also among the victims. The two injured also include another police constable. It is pertinent to recall that Taliban targeted Muzaffar frequently in 2008-09 and shot dead his brother and a son while all of his four houses and hujra at Shakkar Dara were also blown up with explosives. Resultantly, the family was forced to leave the area. After the completion of military action against Taliban militants, Muzaffar and his family returned to the valley but because of the destruction of houses in Shakkar Dara, they stayed with relatives in Shakkar Dheri.
Recently, the family completed reconstruction of a house at Shakkar Dara but they continued to stay in Shakkar Dheri. The incident has reminded that after a one and half a year long lull, the militants are still present in Matta region. The armed forces have disarmed common men, including leaders of ruling Awami National Party and Pakistan Peoples Party. The locals have repeatedly expressed reservations over ‘disarming policy’ followed by the security forces.
