MINGORA, May 18 Unidentified armed persons shot dead a leader of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf in Kabal while security forces killed three militants during an encounter in Koz Shor area of Swat on Tuesday.

Sources said that armed persons entered the hujra of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf leader, Sher Khan, in the Koza Bandai area of Kabal and opened indiscriminate firing on him and his brother Majeed. As a result, Sher Khan was killed on the spot while Majeed received critical injuries. The injured was shifted to Saidu Sharif Hospital.

Sher Khan had contested elections from the provincial assembly constituency, PF-83, on the ticket of PTI during the 2008 general polls. He was also the former nazim of Koza Bandai union council.

In another incident security forces killed three militant commanders and recovered suicide vests, wireless sets and weapons from their possession during an encounter in Koz Shor area of Matta tehsil.

Officials said that security forces launched a search operation in the forest near Koz Shor on a tip-off that three important militant commanders were hiding there. Security forces besieged the hideout and killed the militants during exchange of fire. The militants were identified as Omar Sadiq, Qari Rehmat Ali and Nek Mohammad. Sources said that Omar Sadiq was wanted by security forces in various acts of terrorism.