SWABI: Rivals killed popular Pashto folksinger, Kifayat Shah Bacha, at the entrance of a mosque during the Friday prayers here, and injured his teenage nephew, the police said.

Zarnabi Khan, a Sub-Inspector who visited the site, told Dawn that when the singer was removing his shoes his rivals opened fire, killing him on the spot. He said his 14-year-old nephew, Barjad Bacha got bullet injuries. The body and the injured were shifted to Bacha Khan Hospital Complex, Shahmansoor.

Another police official said his rivals were already present in the mosque before his arrival, and that the victim also had a pistol but could not get an opportunity to defend himself.

When contacted, a member of the singer’s family said the enmity with rivals had so far claimed lives of Kifayat Shah Bacha, his brother and a son. He said three people from their rivals had also been killed in the over two-decade-long enmity.

Kifayat’s brother, Sayed Gul Bacha, got registered an FIR with the Zaida police station against Awais Khan of Zaida city and Abid Khan of Maneri Payyan village.

SHO Zaida Shafi Rehman said they were making raids to arrest the accused.

It merits a mention here that Kifayat Bacha was known across the Pakhtun regions, including Afghanistan. He enjoyed widespread popularity for his unique style of singing.

Besides, a popular folk artist, Kiayat Bacha served as the president of Hunari Tolana, an artists’ welfare society of Swabi district. He had brought out several audio and video albums.

The deceased was set free by a local court in a murder case a few months ago. He belonged to Zaida city.

Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2021