PESHAWAR: Family members of the two men, who were shot dead inside a mosque during Taraweeh prayers in Ramazan, have accused the police of collusion with the attackers.

Addressing a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Monday, Jan Mohammad — father of 32-year-old Grade-16 officer Inayatullah — and Pariaz Begum, widow of his 70-year-old cousin, Parvez, narrated the ordeal they have faced since the incident.

The victims were killed on the 5th of Ramazan in the Batgram area of Shabqadar tehsil, Charsadda district. According to the family, a group of around 13 armed men, allegedly led by Niaz Mohammad, Shafiullah, Mohammad Shah, Zota Khan, and others, opened fire inside the mosque during Taraweeh prayers, killing both men on the spot.

Jan Mohammad alleged that instead of providing justice, the police acted in favour of the accused. “After we handed over the bodies for a postmortem, I was handcuffed and detained. An FIR was registered against me instead,” he claimed.

He further said that he was not even allowed to attend the funeral prayers of his son and cousin. “I was imprisoned for a long period. My home and business were destroyed, and my family has been left to suffer,” he added.

Pariaz Begum said that the attackers had snatched away her only support. “They killed my husband inside the house of God. We have been left helpless and are still seeking justice,” she said.

Jan Mohammad also accused a local DSP, Rashid, of refusing to register their complaint and instead facilitating the suspects. “The accused are roaming freely in the area, while our homes remain locked and our children have been forced to leave school,” he said.

A retired army man who participated in the 1965 and 1971 wars, Jan Mohammad, said it was deeply painful that despite his family’s service to the country, they had been denied justice. “All doors of justice are closed to us,” he lamented.

The family appealed to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, the inspector general of police, the chief secretary, and senior army officials to take notice of the incident and ensure justice.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2026