A senior religious scholar and former provincial legislator, Maulana Muhammad Idrees Tarangzai, was martyred in a targeted shooting in the Utmanzai area of Charsadda on Tuesday, triggering grief and condemnation across religious and political circles.
According to police and local sources, the attack took place when Maulana Idrees was on his way to Darul Uloom Utmanzai, where he was scheduled to deliver Hadith lessons.
Armed assailants opened fire on his vehicle and fled the scene immediately after the attack. The cleric sustained critical injuries and was rushed to DHQ Hospital Charsadda, where he succumbed to his wounds before receiving medical treatment.
Security forces quickly cordoned off the area following the incident and launched a search operation. Police officials said nine mm pistol shells were recovered from the crime scene, while CCTV footage from nearby locations has been secured to assist the investigation.
Initial findings suggest that two suspects were involved in the killing, though their identities have not yet been confirmed.
The killing has once again brought the issue of targeted attacks against religious figures to the forefront. The killing of Maulana Idrees has raised concerns among scholars and community leaders, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where such incidents have occurred intermittently over the years.
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Maulana Muhammad Idrees was widely respected for his religious scholarship and political role. Born in 1961 in Tarangzai village, he served as Sheikh-ul-Hadith and was closely associated with Jamia Ahsan-ul-Madaris Jhagra in Peshawar.
He also remained active in public life and was elected as a member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on the platform of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl.
Thousands of followers and students gathered at the hospital and later at his ancestral village as news of his martyrdom spread. Religious seminaries across the region announced temporary suspension of classes as a mark of respect. Senior clerics described him as a calm scholar who promoted dialogue and religious education.
Charsadda district has witnessed several incidents of targeted violence in the past decade, though authorities say security measures have been strengthened in recent years. Despite this, the latest attack has exposed gaps in protection for prominent religious figures.
A senior police officer told reporters that all angles were being examined, including personal enmity and ideological motives, adding that investigators were hopeful of making arrests based on forensic and digital evidence.
The funeral prayer of Maulana Idrees is scheduled to be offered at 5:30 pm in Tarangzai, where strict security arrangements have been put in place. Political and religious leaders from across the country are expected to attend.
The incident could deepen fears among clerics and political workers, particularly ahead of upcoming religious gatherings. The killing of Maulana Idrees may also reignite debate over the safety of scholars who play public roles and the need for a comprehensive security framework to prevent such attacks.
As investigations continue, the murder has left a profound impact on his followers and reignited calls for swift justice and accountability. The killing of Maulana Idrees remains central to discussions on law and order in the province.
