Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza survives gun attack in Jhelum, attacker killed by police firing

Engineer religious scholar Muhammad Ali Mirza survived an attack on Sunday outside the Quran-o-Sunnah Research Academy in Jhelum. The attacker was killed by police gunfire, while a police officer was injured.

Police spokesperson Kashif Kiani said Mirza was present outside the research academy, where Mirza regularly gives lectures, when a man entered the premises armed with a 9mm pistol, lay down on the ground and opened fire.

Kiani confirmed that a police officer, part of the university’s security team, was injured in the attack. The policeman was shot in the foot and was shifted to the Jhelum district headquarters hospital, where he was reportedly out of danger.

SSP Chaudhry Shafiq said the police retaliated, killing the attacker on the spot. He said Mirza was not injured in the incident, adding that security was already in place at the time of the attack and would be further strengthened. He further said that the help of the National Database and Registration Authority would be sought to identify the attacker.

Read also: Court grants bail to engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza in blasphemy case

The incident took place within the jurisdiction of Jhelum town police station. Police said the armed attacker opened fire when officers tried to arrest him.

In December last year, the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court approved the bail of religious engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza in a case alleging religious hatred, ordering his immediate release.

Justice Sadaqat Khan granted bail on the condition that Mirza submits two sureties worth Rs 500,000 each. The case was registered by the FIA ​​Cyber ​​Crime Wing, which accused him of insulting revered religious figures.

Mirza was first arrested in August under Section 3 of Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) by the Jhelum police. He was later transferred to prison before being handed over to the FIA ​​following the registration of a blasphemy case.