Scholar killed in Panjgur drive-by shooting

A prominent scholar and district Naib Amir Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI)-F) Maulana Abdul Haye Baloch was shot dead by unidentified armed motorcyclists in Balochistan’s Panjgur town on Wednesday afternoon.

According to police, the vehicle of Maulana Baloch who is also an administrator of Madrassa Arabia Khair-ul-Madaris Mahmoodia, was targeted near Sordo District Commissioner House, leaving him dead on the spot.

Sources familiar with the matter said he was on his way home from the market when unidentified armed assailants sprayed bullets on his vehicle.

Police said the attackers managed to flee away successfully from the crime scene after the incident.

Slain Maulana Baloch’s body was shifted to District Headquarter Hospital Panjgur and later handed over to heirs after completion of medico-legal formalities.

The new of the JUI-F scholar’s assassination spread in the town like wildfire, instilling fear in the public.

A large number of party workers and people from all walks of life rushed to the hospital.

Later, the funeral prayers of slain religious cleric were offered at Gwarjack and he was laid to rest in the Gwarjack graveyard.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2021.