Pakistan’s worsening security situation has come under renewed scrutiny after Islamic cleric and JUI-F leader Maulana Mohammad Ismail was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in broad daylight following Friday prayers in South Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, highlighting the persistent challenge of bringing perpetrators to justice.
Peshawar: An Islamic cleric was killed in a targeted shooting by unidentified assailants in Pakistan’s north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to police.
The attack took place on Friday in Birmal tehsil of South Waziristan district. The victim, Maulana Mohammad Ismail, was also a local leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).
Police said motorcycle-borne gunmen opened fire on Maulana Ismail immediately after Friday prayers, killing him at the scene before fleeing.
No organisation or individual has claimed responsibility for the killing. Authorities say they are investigating the attack from multiple angles to determine the motive and identify those behind it. The incident has once again raised concerns over Pakistan’s ability to curb targeted violence and ensure the safety of citizens, particularly in militancy-affected regions such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
