Prominent Pakistani cleric Maulana Idrees killed in gunmen attack

A prominent cleric was shot dead in a targeted attack in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday, with investigators now expanding efforts after collecting CCTV footage and forensic evidence, officials said.

Unidentified gunmen, reportedly riding motorcycles, ambushed the vehicle of Sheikh-ul-Hadith Maulana Muhammad Idrees in the Utmanzai area of Charsadda district at around 8:10 am while he was travelling from his residence in Tarangzai to deliver a Dars-e-Hadith at Darul Uloom Utmanzai . The attackers fired multiple rounds before fleeing the scene.

Police said the cleric sustained critical injuries and died while being shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital. Two police constables assigned for his security were also injured in the attack and were later moved for treatment. His body was subsequently taken to his native village, Turangzai, where large crowds of mourners gathered.

Authorities have confirmed that CCTV footage from nearby cameras and Safe City systems has been obtained , while bullet casings were recovered from the site as part of forensic examination. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to lead the probe using modern scientific methods, and several law enforcement units, including counter-terrorism teams, have been involved in ongoing raids. However, no arrests have been made so far, and no group has claimed responsibility.

The killing triggered protests in Charsadda, where hundreds of people staged demonstrations and a sit-in at Farooq-e-Azam Chowk, demanding swift arrests of the attackers.

The Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed termed the cleric’s services “unforgettable” and ordered immediate action, while also seeking a detailed report from regional police authorities. The District Police Officer described the killing as a “brutal and intolerable act” and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.

Chief Minister Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the incident, expressed grief over the loss, and directed authorities to ensure the best medical care for the injured personnel and conduct a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.