Police shoot dead six Swat protesters

By: Essa Khankhel | Published: September 24, 2008

MINGORA - At least 16 persons were killed and 29 others injured here on Tuesday when gunship helicopters shelled curfew violators in Mingora city and police fired at an unruly mob in Khawazakhela. The protesters were demanding lifting of curfew, troops withdrawal, restoration of power and gas supplies to the area.
Around 10 persons, including women and children, were killed in the shelling by helicopters on Mingora city.
Meanwhile, six people were shot dead by police when protesters in Khawazakhela, also demanding troops pullout and lifting of curfew, went violent.
According to eyewitnesses, hundreds of people, in violation of curfew, held a protest demonstration in Mingora against the death of three children of a family, killed on Monday, by the shelling of the security forces at village Allahabad. When the protesters gathered at Green Chowk, some of them hurled stones and pebbles on the police force. In retaliation, the police force baton-charged the protesters and fired tear gas shells on them. Several protesters sustained injuries in the result of the incident.
Later addressing the gathering, Haji Sardar Ali Khan, President of Transport Association, said, “Neither we are willing to host the security forces nor we want militants on our soil.” Almost all the Union Council Nazims and councillors, traders and transporters also participated in the protest.
Meanwhile, some unknown militants blew up a gas transmission plant at Balogram on Tuesday midnight. No loss to life has been reported so far. As a result of the incident, gas supply to the entire region has broken down, multiplying the miseries of the residents of the area.

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