PESHAWAR: The police have set up a joint investigation team to probe the targeted killing of a religious scholar in the Pishtakhara area here the other day.

The JIT, established under the directive of Capital City Police Officer Qasim Khan, includes senior officials such as the SSP investigation, SP cantonment, and officers from the Counter-Terrorism Department.

Maulana Ejaz died in the attack, which also left Maulana Shahidullah injured.

A case has been registered under anti-terrorism laws at the CTD police station.

Investigators recovered 30-bore bullet casings from the crime scene. Initial findings confirm that it was a targeted attack. The CTD teams are actively investigating, and CCTV footage from various locations is being examined.

The police said that the unidentified attackers were on a motorcycle. The incident occurred when unknown assailants opened fire on the clerics within the jurisdiction of Pishtakhara police station late last night, killing one and injuring the other.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed has sought a report from the police, and directed the formation of special teams to trace the culprits behind the attack on religious figures.

Additionally, the CCPO has been instructed to tighten security of religious leaders. IG Hameed emphasised that those targeting religious figures would not be allowed to succeed in their malicious objectives.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2025