Senior JUI-F leader killed in targeted shooting while heading to madrassa; protests erupt as party demands swift justice
PESHAWAR: A targeted shooting in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Charsadda district on Tuesday claimed the life of prominent religious scholar and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Idrees, sparking protests and raising fresh concerns over the security of religious figures in the region.
According to police, unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on Idrees while he was on his way to a madrassa. The attackers fled immediately after the assault, leaving the senior cleric fatally wounded at the scene.
Two police personnel assigned to his security detail were also injured in the attack. Authorities said the injured guards were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Charsadda, where they are receiving medical treatment.
Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace the attackers, while security was tightened across the district amid fears of further unrest.
The killing triggered widespread anger among religious students and JUI-F supporters, who staged protests at multiple locations in Charsadda. Demonstrators demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and called for a transparent investigation into the incident.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman strongly condemned the killing, describing Idrees as a respected scholar who had long advocated peace. In a statement, he termed the attack a blow to those promoting Islamic teachings and national unity, and questioned the lack of adequate security for religious leaders.
Rehman urged authorities to act swiftly, warning that continued inaction could deepen mistrust and insecurity. “He stood for peace but became a victim of violence,” he said, emphasizing the need for accountability.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far, and investigations remain ongoing.
The killing underscores persistent security challenges in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where targeted attacks on political and religious figures have periodically resurfaced, despite ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
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