Two Malakand terror incidents set alarm bells ringing

PESHAWAR: An attack on a member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Malik Liaqat Ali in Lower Dir and attacks on police in Matta and other parts of Swat are a matter of serious concern for the government and the law-enforcement agencies.
After trouble was witnessed in many southern districts and some towns in central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the last months, things have started deteriorating in the north where peace had been greatly restored and tourism had started to flourish in recent years.
The situation was much better in Malakand Division till PTI MPA Malik Liaqat was attacked last week. His brother and nephew were among the four people who died in the attack in Dir. The MPA was critically injured.
Attacks were reported on police posts in Swat a couple of days later and then a video appeared on social media in which an army officer and a police officer were taken hostage.Hundreds of people in Dir the other day took to the streets and marched for peace, asking the government, police and army not to let anyone disturb the peace in Malakand Division once again.
The police chief of the province visited Dir as well as other areas and chaired meetings of the local police after the recent attacks.
“We will achieve good results soon,” Inspector General of Police Moazzam Jah Ansari told The News. He added that meetings at the senior level were going on to address the issue properly.Some elected representatives from Malakand have already expressed concern over the situation.
Meanwhile, JI MPA from Dir Inayatullah, said: “I have submitted an adjournment motion in the KP Assembly on deteriorating law and order in Malakand and erstwhile Fata.””There is a sense of insecurity among the residents of the Malakand Division. It is our duty as elected representatives to raise our voice for our people.”-PNP