A wave of grief and outrage has swept through Dera Ismail Khan and South Waziristan following the martyrdom of Maulana Sultan Ashraf Khel, a senior leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) and Mohtamim of Jamia Ashrafia, who succumbed to his injuries after a targeted bomb attack.
According to police officials, Maulana Sultan was critically wounded in a bomb explosion on Thursday in Wana Bazaar, near Kundra Cheena Madrassa, South Waziristan. He was immediately shifted in a critical condition to Mufti Mehmood Hospital, Dera Ismail Khan, where he remained under intensive medical care.
Hospital sources confirmed that despite exhaustive efforts by medical teams, Maulana Sultan could not survive the severity of his injuries and was declared martyred. The announcement of his martyrdom triggered widespread sorrow, anger, and condemnation across the region.
Religious scholars, social leaders, and members of the public have strongly denounced the attack, terming it a direct assault on religious leadership, social stability, and peace. Many described Maulana Sultan as a respected scholar, educator, and community figure whose loss represents a profound blow to the religious and educational fabric of the area.
Following the incident, strong reactions have emerged from various quarters, with allegations surfacing that terrorist elements are operating under a systematic plan to target religious figures and prominent personalities one by one. Police officials confirmed that these concerns are being taken seriously.
According to police sources, suspicions regarding the involvement or facilitation by certain political elements particularly individuals associated with PTI have also been raised, and these aspects are currently under investigation. Authorities emphasized that all angles are being examined to ensure transparency and accountability.
Security has been heightened across sensitive areas, while law enforcement agencies have assured the public that those responsible for the attack, along with any facilitators, will be identified and brought to justice.
Maulana Sultan’s martyrdom has once again underscored the persistent threat posed by terrorism and the urgent need to protect religious scholars and community leaders who play a vital role in promoting peace, guidance, and social harmony.
The attack has not only claimed a respected life but has also intensified calls for decisive action against those seeking to destabilize the region through fear and targeted violence.
