A prominent religious scholar and former Member of the Provincial Assembly associated with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), Sheikh Muhammad Idris, was killed in an attack in the Utmanzai area of Charsadda on Monday morning, according to local reports.
Security sources and police officials stated that the incident took place when Sheikh Muhammad Idris was on his way from home to a nearby religious seminary. Unidentified armed assailants opened fire on his vehicle, resulting in his death on the spot.
Law enforcement agencies immediately reached the site and cordoned off the area. The body was shifted to a local hospital for post-mortem examination, while a search operation was launched to trace the attackers.
No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, authorities have linked the incident to militant activity in the region, where several targeted killings of religious and political figures have taken place in recent months.
The killing has sparked concern among local residents and religious circles, who described Sheikh Muhammad Idris as a respected scholar with longstanding ties to religious education and political activism.
In recent months, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has witnessed a series of targeted attacks on religious leaders and political figures. Security analysts say these incidents reflect persistent threats from militant networks operating in certain regions, despite ongoing counterterrorism operations.
Earlier incidents cited by local authorities include the killing of religious leader Pir Ibrahim in Charsadda in July 2025, and the assassination of ANP leader Maulana Khan Zeb in Bajaur the same month. In March 2025, a suicide attack at a mosque in South Waziristan injured several individuals, including a district JUI leader. In another incident in February 2025, JUI leader Hamid-ul-Haq Haqqani was killed in a mosque attack in Akora Khattak.
Security officials say these repeated attacks highlight the continuing challenge of militancy and the need for enhanced protection for public figures, especially those involved in religious and political leadership.
Authorities have vowed to bring those responsible for the Charsadda attack to justice. Investigations are ongoing, and additional security measures are being considered in the region to prevent further incidents.
The killing of Sheikh Muhammad Idris has been widely condemned in political and religious circles, with calls for stronger action against militant elements and improved law and order in the province.
