Gunman killed after firing outside Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza’s academy in Jhelum

RAWALPINDI: A gunman was killed in a police response after opening fire outside the Quran and Sunnah Academy of religious scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza in Jhelum on Sunday, while the scholar remained unharmed.

The incident took place while Engineer Mirza was delivering his routine lecture at the academy when an unidentified attacker suddenly began indiscriminate firing.

During the incident, Constable Ahsan, who was deployed at the site, suffered a bullet wound to his leg. He was shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. No other deaths or injuries were reported.

A police official said the attacker was neutralised in an exchange of fire after what the official described as a prompt and effective response, adding that the action prevented any major loss of life.

Investigation ordered

Regional Police Officer Rawalpindi Syed Khalid Mahmood Hamdani took immediate notice of the incident and sought a detailed report. He also ordered a comprehensive investigation and directed authorities to trace any facilitators involved in the attack.

Law enforcement agencies began collecting evidence from the scene after the shooting. Security in the area was also put on high alert, and additional police personnel were deployed at sensitive locations to maintain law and order.

Previous incidents

This was not the first attack targeting the scholar. In February this year, he survived another attempt when a person tried to target him during a photo session at the same academy. The attacker in that case was arrested.

Engineer Mirza had been arrested in August last year under 3-MPO and was later released on bail in December.

The latest incident has prompted a fresh security response in the area as investigators work to determine the circumstances of the attack and whether anyone assisted the assailant.