JHELUM (Web Desk) – Religious cleric and lecturer Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza narrowly survived a gun attack in Jhelum on Sunday after an unidentified assailant opened fire outside his academy, with police killing the attacker in retaliatory action.
The incident occurred outside the Quran and Sunnat Research Academy, located near GTS Chowk within the jurisdiction of City Police Station in Jhelum. According to police officials, the cleric was present at the premises, where he regularly delivers lectures, when the attacker approached armed with a 9mm pistol.
Police spokesperson Kashif Kiani said the suspect entered the academy’s vicinity, lay on the ground, and suddenly opened fire. Security personnel stationed at the site immediately responded, attempting to stop the armed individual before returning fire.
Senior Superintendent of Police Chaudhry Shafiq confirmed that the attacker was killed on the spot during the exchange of fire. He added that Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza remained unharmed throughout the incident and continued his routine activities at the academy following the attack.
A police constable assigned to the cleric’s security detail sustained injuries during the firing. Officials stated that the constable was shot in the foot and was promptly shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Jhelum. Medical staff later confirmed that his condition was stable and out of danger.
Following the incident, a heavy contingent of police was deployed at the scene, and security in the area was further tightened. Authorities indicated that the existing security arrangements had been active at the time of the attack and would now be reinforced to prevent similar incidents.
Police officials said the identity of the attacker has not yet been established. Efforts are underway to verify the suspect’s identity, with assistance being sought from the National Database and Registration Authority. Investigators are also examining whether the attacker had any accomplices or links to a wider network.
District police authorities confirmed that a formal investigation has been launched to determine the motive behind the attack, which remains unclear at this stage.
Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza, who commands a significant following on social media with more than 3.1 million subscribers on YouTube, has faced security threats in the past. Earlier this year, he was targeted in a separate incident, while in March 2021 he survived an assassination attempt in Jhelum.
The cleric has also previously been detained over his public remarks and, at times, restricted from delivering speeches amid concerns over potential unrest.