Engr Muhammad Ali Mirza survives gun attack in Jhelum, assailant killed in police firing

Religious scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza survived an attack on Sunday outside the Quran-o-Sunnah Research Academy in Jhelum. The attacker was killed in police firing, while a policeman was injured. Police spokesperson Kashif Kiani said Mirza was present outside the research academy, where Mirza regularly delivers lectures, when a man entered the premises armed with a 9mm pistol, lay on the ground, and opened fire. Kiani confirmed that a police constable, part of the scholar’s security team, was injured during the attack. The policeman was shot in the foot and shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Jhelum, where he was reported to be out of danger. SSP Chaudhry Shafiq said police returned fire, killing the attacker on the spot. He stated that Mirza remained unhurt during the incident, adding that security was already in place at the time of the attack and would be further beefed up. He further said that assistance from the National Database and Registration Authority would be sought to identify the attacker. Also Read: Court grants Engr Muhammad Ali Mirza bail in blasphemy case The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the City police station in Jhelum. Police said the armed assailant opened fire when officers attempted to stop him. Last year in December, the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court approved the bail of religious scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza in a case alleging religious hatred, ordering his immediate release. Justice Sadaqat Khan granted bail on the condition that Mirza submit two surety bonds worth Rs500,000 each. The case was registered by the FIA Cyber Crime Wing, which has accused him of insulting revered religious personalities. Mirza was first detained in August under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) by Jhelum police. He was later moved to jail before being handed over to the FIA following the registration of a blasphemy case.