Firing occurred outside the academy of religious scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza. According to media reports, the incident took place in Jhelum Cantt on Sunday morning, where heavy gunfire was directed at the academy. The attacker attempted to enter the premises.
It was reported that intense firing took place at the Jhelum Academy at around 10:45 a.m. The attacker, positioned on the green belt across the road, opened fire on the academy’s front gate and at the police. A police officer bravely returned fire but was injured by a bullet and was immediately shifted to the hospital for medical treatment.
Police sources stated that as soon as the incident was reported, officers reached the scene, where a fierce exchange of gunfire took place between the attacker and the police. The attacker fired multiple shots at the academy gate while police were present, prompting an immediate response that foiled the attack.
During the police counterattack, the attacker was killed on the spot in the exchange of fire. The attacker has not yet been identified, and the process of identification is currently underway.
Jhelum Police spokesperson Kashif Kayani stated that Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza was present outside the Quran and Sunnah Research Academy, where he delivers lectures, when a man entered the premises carrying a 9mm pistol. The attacker lay down on the ground and opened fire.
Jhelum Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Chaudhry Shafiq said that police responded immediately and retaliated, killing the attacker on the spot. He added that Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza remained safe during the incident.
Kashif Kayani further confirmed that a police constable from the cleric’s security team was injured in the attack. The constable was shot in the leg and was taken to the Jhelum District Headquarters Hospital, where his condition is reported to be out of danger. He also said that assistance from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) will be sought to help identify the attacker.
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