CHARSADDA: Prominent religious scholar Maulana Muhammad Idrees was killed on Tuesday following unknown assailants opened fire on him, according to police.
A police official told the media that Idrees left for Darul Uloom Noumania from his home in Tarangzai. He added that shortly before he arrived at his destination, armed assailants fired at the vehicle in the Tariqabad Utmanzai area.
He further said that two officials were also injured in the incident.
Following the attack, the cleric’s body was transferred to the District Headquarter Hospital.
Subsequently, a large number of people gathered in protest, expressing grief and anger over the incident. The area witnessed heightened emotions as supporters and locals demanded justice.
Security has been tightened in the area, while law enforcement agencies have launched an investigation into the incident. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
The incident triggered an immediate response from the provincial police leadership, with the inspector general formally seeking details from the relevant regional command and ordering action for the arrest of the perpetrators.
Police chief seeks detailed report
Taking notice of the killing, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed sought a report from the Mardan regional police officer.
In a post on x, the police chief also directed the official concerned to take the necessary steps to arrest those responsible for the attack, expressing condolences to the bereaved family.
He said those involved in the incident would be arrested soon.
CM Afridi condemns the incident
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also took notice of the incident and strongly condemned it. According to an official statement, Mr Afridi also sought a report from the police.
“My heart was deeply saddened to hear the news of the martyrdom of Maulana Muhammad Idrees. The entire nation stands with the affected family in their grief,” he said.
He also directed to provide the best possible medical treatment to the police officials injured in the incident.
It is worth mentioning that Maulana Sheikh Muhammad Idris was serving as a senior teacher at Darul Uloom Haqqania and had also previously served as a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA).
He was the son-in-law of late renowned religious scholar Maulana Sheikh Hassan Jan.
Also read:Ali Raza Syed pays tribute to late Pakistani journalist Khalid Hameed Farooqi
