Swabi: Four people, including a mosque prayer leader and a woman, were killed and nine others injured when gunmen attacked a vehicle on the Swabi Jehangira Road on Tuesday, in what police described as an incident linked to an old personal dispute.
The attack occurred near Gaddodabad Lar, within the jurisdiction of Zaida police station, when Manzoor Ahmed Khan, a former Jamaat i Islami candidate for the provincial assembly constituency PK 50, was travelling in his vehicle.
According to the initial account, Manzoor was returning from a court appearance when unidentified assailants targeted his car.
Police confirmed that Manzoor was injured in the attack, while his two personal security guards, identified as Mohammad Ghaffar and Sabirullah, were killed.
Two bystanders, including a woman and a mosque prayer leader, were also killed.
Bystanders caught in attack
Police identified the deceased prayer leader as Maulana Aftab, who served at a mosque in the Torkhel area of Swabi.
The attack also injured several people passing through the area.
The injured were transported to different hospitals for treatment, while the bodies were shifted for postmortem examinations.
Police arrest two suspects
Zaida police station Station House Officer Raz Mohammad said the attack appeared to result from an old enmity.
He confirmed that police arrested two suspects in connection with the killings.
According to initial information, a case was registered against those allegedly involved.
Police did not disclose the identities of all suspected attackers or provide further details about the dispute believed to prompt the shooting.
The allegations against those detained remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.
Residents protest civilian deaths
Following the incident, residents staged a protest at Karnal Sher Chowk in Swabi, demanding action against those responsible for the deaths of the two bystanders.
The protesters expressed concern that people unconnected with the reported dispute lost their lives.
The incident raised questions about public safety in busy areas where personal disputes can expose bystanders to violence.
Police said investigations were continuing following the arrest of two suspects.
Further details are awaited regarding the condition of the injured and the progress of the investigation.
