UPPER DIR, Feb 8: Fareed Khan, a former Jamaat-i-Islami MPA and candidate for PF-92 Upper Dir-II, was killed by a bullet from his own gun here on Friday morning when he was preparing to leave for his election campaign, police said.

Police claimed that Fareed, 30, was killed on the spot by his own pistol in his house in the Kalkot area when his brother was cleaning the weapon that went off accidentally.

Fareed was elected as MPA from PF-92 in 2002 election. He gained popularity in the area after he initiated various development projects in his constituency.

Party sources said that the JI leaders did their best to convince him to withdraw from the election in compliance with the party’s decision to boycott the polls. He not only refused to do so but also fielded candidates on one provincial assembly and one National Assembly seats.

JI openly opposed him for violating the party discipline and asked its workers to stay away from his campaign. His basic membership was also suspended by the JI local chapter and a letter was written to the central leadership for termination of his membership.