Terrorists opened fire on and martyred another prominent tribal elder Malik Naik Muhammad Mehsud in the Manzakai area of Ladha Tehsil in Upper South Waziristan, in another targeted attack against respected figures working for peace and stability in the district.
According to initial information, the terrorists targeted Malik Naik Muhammad Mehsud in Manzakai and fled towards the mountainous area after carrying out the attack. Further investigations into the incident are underway.
The attack comes amid a series of targeted assaults against prominent religious and tribal figures in South Waziristan, raising serious concerns over the terrorists’ continued attempts to eliminate individuals who have played an active role in promoting peace, social cohesion and stability in the region.
On August 3, prominent religious and tribal figure Mufti Janameer was martyred in a blast in Wana’s Sadar Bazaar. Widely respected in South Waziristan for his efforts to promote peace and social harmony, Mufti Janameer had been actively working for the restoration of law and order in the district.
He was also a regular member and prominent speaker of the National Peace Jirga, where he consistently advocated unity, reconciliation and lasting peace in the region.
The assassination of Mufti Janameer came just two days after another prominent religious figure, Maulana Ismail, affiliated with JUI-F, was martyred in a targeted attack in the Azam Warsak area of South Waziristan.
The back-to-back attacks on religious and tribal figures have highlighted the continuing threat posed by terrorists targeting respected members of local society.
The latest attack on Malik Naik Muhammad Mehsud is another such incident, with terrorists resorting to violence against a prominent tribal elder before fleeing the area. Security authorities are investigating the attack and efforts are continuing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.
