CHARSADDA: Renowned religious scholar and former JUI-F MPA Maulana Muhammad Idrees was shot dead on Tuesday after unidentified assailants opened fire on his vehicle, police officials confirmed.

According to police, the incident occurred in the Tariqabad Utmanzai area when the cleric was on his way to Darul Uloom Noumania from his residence in Tarangzai.

Gunmen targeted his vehicle shortly before reaching his destination, resulting in his death. Two police officials accompanying him were also injured in the attack.

Authorities have obtained CCTV footage and launched an investigation to identify and arrest those responsible.

The body of the deceased was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital for legal formalities.

Maulana Muhammad Idrees was a senior leader of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F (JUI-F) in the district and was considered a close associate of party chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

Senior officials, including the Inspector General of KP Police, have taken notice of the incident and directed authorities to submit a detailed report and ensure swift action against the attackers.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the bereaved family and reaffirming the country’s commitment to combating terrorism.

Provincial leadership also condemned the attack, calling it a serious concern for law and order and urging immediate steps to restore peace in the region.