A gunman opened fire in front of Mirza’s academy; Security agent injured in the foot, now out of danger, police say
Religious scholar engineer Mirza Muhammad Ali. Photo: Archive
Religious scholar-engineer 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 spokesman 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 academic’s security team, was injured during the attack. The police officer was shot in the foot and taken to Jhelum District Central Hospital, where he was reported to be out of danger.
SSP Chaudhry Shafiq said the police returned fire and killed the attacker on the spot. He claimed that Mirza was unharmed during the incident, adding that security was already in place at the time of the attack and would be further tightened. He further said that the assistance of the National Database and Registration Authority would be sought to identify the attacker.
Also read: Court grants bail to engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza in blasphemy case
The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of Jhelum city police station. Police said the armed assailant opened fire when officers attempted to detain him.
In December last year, the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court approved the bail of religious scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza in a case alleging religious hatred, ordering his immediate release.
Justice Sadaqat Khan granted bail on the condition that Mirza submit two sureties worth Rs 500,000 each. The case was registered by the Cyber Crime Wing of the FIA, which accused him of insulting revered religious personalities.
Mirza was first arrested in August under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Act by the Jhelum police. He was later transferred to prison before being handed over to the FIA following the registration of a blasphemy case.
