SWABI: A muezzin (prayer caller) was killed inside a mosque in Manki village of Chota Lahor tehsil here on Thursday.

According to police, Zar Mohammad was giving Azan for Zuhr prayer when the attacker allegedly appeared with a pistol and opened fire on him.

The gunshots created a panic-like situation in the mosque and the worshipers started running for cover. The people present there soon saw that Zar Mohammad was lying on the ground and the person who allegedly opened fire escaped.

When contacted, police said that Zar Mohammad had attacked the alleged attacker, Zar Bahadar, with a knife a few years ago and as a result he was seriously injured.

Taking revenge, he targeted Zar Mohammad and killed him on the spot. Local police have registered an FIR against Zar Bahadar.

Meanwhile, police seized over three kilogrammes of charas and arrested two alleged smugglers on Thursday. Police said that they would not allow the smugglers to exploit the lockdown.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2020