CHARSADDA: Renow­ned cleric and former JUI-F MPA Maulana Muh­a­mmad Idrees was killed in a targeted gun attack in Charsadda on Tuesday, which left two of his gua­rds injured, police said.

Maulana Idrees was the JUI-F district emir and was considered one of Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s trusted advisers.

His father-in-law, Maul­ana Hassan Jan, who had defeated Awami National Party leader Abdul Wali Khan in his native Charsadda constituency, was also killed by the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for opposing armed struggle.

On Tuesday, Maulana Idrees left his home in Tar­a­n­gzai for Darul Uloom Noumania when armed assailants opened fire on his vehicle in the Tari­qabad area of Utmanzai, shortly before he reached his destination, Charsadda police spokesperson Safiullah told Dawn.

In a statement, KP police said four attackers riding two motorcycles opened fire on the cleric’s vehicle. Maulana Idrees and two injured police gunners were rushed to the hospital, but the cleric succumbed to his injuries on the way. His body was later shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital.

Police said initial investigations suggested that the attack was a targeted killing. They added that CCTV footage of the incident had been obtained and that investigators had secured images of the attackers.

“Police teams are conducting raids for the suspects,” the police statement said, adding that progress had been made in the investigation.

The banned outfit Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP) later claimed responsibility for the assassination.

KP Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed took notice of the incident and sought a report from the Mardan regional police officer. According to a post by KP police on X, the IG directed officials to take all necessary steps to arrest those responsible.

The KP police chief also set up investigation teams to probe the killing. Separately, the district public prosecutor of Charsadda formed a three-member team to supervise the investigation.

According to a notification issued by the prosecutor, the team includes Senior Public Prosecutor Muhammad Irshad, Law Officer Sikandar Zaman and Assistant Public Prosecutor Shahid Adil.

The team has been directed to maintain full coordination with the investigation team and submit daily progress reports to the office. The case has been registered under FIR No. 36 at the Counter-Terrorism Department police station in Mardan.

Funeral prayers for Maulana Idrees were offered later in the day in his native Tarangzai area of Charsadda district amid strict security arrangements. Thousands of his followers, party workers and residents attended the funeral.

JUI-F KP emir Maulana Attaur Rehman and KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also attended the funeral.

JUI-F announces protests

The JUI-F has announced plans to hold demonstrations across the country today (Wednesday) and on Friday to protest the assassination of Maulana Idrees.

“Full and peaceful protests will be held [on Wednesday] and Friday against the martyrdom of Sheikh Idrees,” JUI-F spokesperson Aslam Ghouri said in a statement.

He said provincial and district organisations had been directed to arrange demonstrations at all four provincial headquarters and across districts.

Terming Maulana Idrees’s death an irreparable loss, Mr Ghouri said the party was exhausted by carrying the bodies of senior scholars.

“How long will the state continue to test us?” he asked, stressing that the federal and provincial governments had failed to maintain law and order.

Condemnations pour in

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over the attack and offered condolences to the family of the deceased cleric, state broadcaster PTV reported.

“Such cowardly acts cannot demoralise the nation,” the president was quoted as saying. He added that the country’s resolve to eradicate terrorism remained “strong and unwavering”.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed grief over the killing and extended condolences to the bereaved family, APP reported.

The prime minister conveyed his condolences to Maulana Fazlur Rehman over the killing. He assured that efforts would be made for the early arrest of the killers.

CM Afridi condemned the incident and sought a report from the police. “The martyrdom of Maulana Muhammad Idrees is regrettable. We stand with the family members in this hour of difficulty,” he said and directed authorities to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured police officials.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also expressed sorrow over the incident and sought a report from the relevant authorities. According to a statement from his office, he termed Maulana Idrees’s death an “irreparable loss” for the country.

ANP leader Aimal Wali Khan condemned the killing and called it “clear evidence” of the deteriorating law and order situation in the province.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2026