At least four people, including a police officer, were killed on Wednesday during an ongoing security operation against suspected militants in Pakistan's northwestern Swat Valley.
Police said that security forces were continuing to sweep the mountainous area following clashes that also left four suspected militants dead.
What triggered the security operation in Swat?
The operation began on Tuesday in the Shalkho Sar area, which falls under the jurisdiction of Shah Dherai police station. Authorities moved to clear what they described as a growing militant presence, Swat police spokesperson Nasir Iqbal Karimi told Nukta.
Elite Force Constable Gulfam was killed during an exchange of fire with suspected militants on Tuesday night, Karimi said. Three members of a local peace committee who were assisting security forces in the operation were also killed. Police identified them as Muhammad Karim, Umar Hayat and Gul Zeb.
How many militants have been killed in the Swat operation?
Police said security forces had killed at least four suspected militants during the operation and had largely surrounded the remaining fighters. Several militants were also wounded, according to police, although the figures could not be independently verified. The clearance operation remained underway on Wednesday, with additional Counter Terrorism Department personnel deployed from Peshawar to reinforce troops already in the area.
Karimi said the operation was launched after repeated complaints from residents over worsening security and reports of militant activity. A funeral for Constable Gulfam was held with full state honors, attended by senior civilian, police and military officials including Malakand Commissioner Masood Ahmed, Regional Police Officer Syed Fida Hassan Shah, Commander of the 6 Brigade Amir Jamal and Swat District Police Officer Muhammad Omar Khan. Paying tribute to the slain officer, Shah said the sacrifices of police personnel killed in the line of duty would remain an enduring part of the country's history.
Why has militant activity resurged in Swat?
Swat was once the epicenter of Pakistan's Taliban insurgency before a major military offensive in 2009 dismantled the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan's strongholds and restored government control after months of militant rule. Although security improved significantly in the following years, militant violence has resurged since 2022, with authorities reporting renewed TTP activity in parts of the northwestern province.
The resurgence has prompted a series of intelligence-based operations aimed at preventing militants from re-establishing a foothold in the region.
The latest operation comes days after the TTP released a video purportedly showing its Swat district commander, Khalid Mansoor, in what security analysts say was an attempt to project a renewed presence in the valley. Pakistani authorities say their ongoing operations are intended to prevent such efforts from translating into an operational resurgence.
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