TANK, May 20 Gunmen killed Maulana Mirajuddin Mehsud, a former JUI-F lawmaker and head of local peace committee, near his house on Thursday.

Two men on a motorbike opened fire at the Maulana who was going to his house in Murtaza area, about 15 kilometres from here, after offering morning prayers.

Maulana Mirajuddin was also head of JUI-F's Fata chapter. Political Agent of S. Waziristan Shahab Ali Shah said that efforts were being made to arrest the attackers.

The killing took place despite the fact that the area has been under curfew for three days.

JUI-F information secretary Maulana Niaz Ali Shah blamed the government for the murder and denied reports about Taliban's involvement.

The Maulana, he said, was opposed to raising a lashkar against the Taliban.

Maulana Mirajuddin was elected from NA-42, South Waziristan, in 2002 general elections and joined the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal. He was a candidate in 2008 elections, but polls could not be held because of the military operation in the area.

He played a major role in brokering a peace deal between the government and Baitullah Mehsud. He moved to Tank along with his family when the military launched an operation against the Mehsud group last year.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani condemned the murder and expressed deep grief and shock.

In a statement, he praised the services rendered by the Maulana for the people of Fata. He also paid tribute to his political acumen and religious proficiency and his efforts for peace.