SHANGLA: Unknown assailants attacked the house of Awami National Party MPA Faisal Zeb Khan in Titwalan area of Shangla district on Thursday night for the second time in as many months.

Mr Zeb, who was elected from PK-24 constituency, told Dawn on Friday that he was in Peshawar at the time of the attack on his house.

A similar incident had taken place on Sept 25 when unidentified assailants had opened fire on his house.

“I am in Peshawar and was informed at night by other family members that a group of assailants came to our hujra and started firing at the house, but luckily police deployed at my house responded to them and they fled the scene,” he said. However, no loss of life or injury was reported.

Police spokesperson Umar Rehman said district police officer Mohammad Imran personally visited the site early in the morning to collect the evidence and review the security situation in the area.

“The provincial government has failed in maintaining the law and order situation in the province. Our provincial general secretary was also threatened by militants two days ago,” Faisal Zeb said and added once again their party was being targeted.

Martung police SHO Mohammad Hussain told Dawn that police personnel deployed at the MPA’s house retaliated to the firing after which the attackers fled.

He said they had sent a report for registration of FIR to the counter-terrorism department (CTD) Swat as it was a terrorist attack. He added security at the MPA’s house was enhanced.

ANP spokeswoman Samar Haroon Bilour condemned the attack and urged the law enforcement agencies to investigate it and bring the culprits to justice.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2022