Prominent cleric gunned down in KP's Charsadda

Renowned cleric Muhammad Idrees was killed on Tuesday after unidentified assailants opened fire on him, police said.

According to police, two police officials were also injured in the incident. The cleric’s body was subsequently shifted to the District Headquarter Hospital.

Meanwhile, KP Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed took notice of the incident. According to a post on X by KP police, the IG sought a report from the Mardam regional police officer. He also told the official to take the necessary steps to arrest those responsible for the incident.

IG Hameed also expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and expressed his resolve to arrest those responsible soon.

KP Governor Faisal Faisal Karim Kundi also expressed sorrow at the incident and sought a report from the authorities concerned. According to a statement issued by his office, he termed the Maulana’s death an “irreparable loss” for the country.

The deceased’s father-in-law, Maulana Hassan Jan, who had defeated Awami National Party leader Abdul Wali Khan in his native Charsadda constituency, leading to his retirement from politics, was also gunned down by the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for opposing armed struggle.

More to follow