Officials said the two sides remained engaged in an intense exchange of fire, with heavy weapons being used from their respective positions. No casualties had been officially confirmed at the time of filing.
Unverified reports indicated that militants had briefly taken several local residents hostage before releasing them. Security forces also carried out limited helicopter shelling on suspected militant hideouts, although no casualties were reported.
Meanwhile, residents from Wari, Nihag Dara, Shalgah, Lar Jam and Ushirai Dara gathered in support of the police after announcements were made through local mosques. Armed volunteers also moved towards the affected area as part of a local lashkar.
Eyewitnesses said the volunteers later gathered outside the Deputy Commissioner’s Office and briefly blocked the Dir-Chitral Road, demanding the release of people allegedly held by militants. Protesters accused the administration of failing to maintain law and order and warned that residents would take up arms to protect themselves if the authorities failed to restore peace. The road was subsequently reopened.
Addressing gatherings in Wari and Dir, former provincial assembly members Sahibzada Sanaullah and Malik Behram Khan called on residents to remain peaceful and united. They said the public would continue to support the police and would not allow the security situation in the district to deteriorate.
Local elders also pledged not to provide shelter to militants or other anti-state elements and assured law enforcement agencies of their cooperation in preventing suspicious activities. They said maintaining peace was a collective responsibility of residents and security institutions.
Separately, a joint targeted operation by Upper Dir police and Dir Scouts continued in Dubando and adjoining areas falling under the jurisdiction of Dir City police station.
Police said personnel from the Elite Force, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and Bomb Disposal Squad were taking part in the operation. Thermal imaging devices, drones and armoured vehicles were being used to monitor the area.
District Police Officer Aslam Nawaz supervised the operation and reviewed security arrangements. He said action against militants, their facilitators and other elements threatening peace would continue until the area was cleared.
Last month, two policemen were martyred and 16 others injured in an exchange of fire with militants at Haidari Top, a mountainous area in Lower Dir.
Law enforcement personnel were conducting a search-and-strike operation after receiving reports of militant presence in the area when they came under attack by armed insurgents. The ensuing gun battle continued for several hours.
