Mufti Taqi Usmani says safe after attempted knife attack in Karachi

Attacker captured and handed over to police

KARACHI:

Renowned religious scholar and former Federal Shariat Court judge Mufti Taqi Usmani on Thursday said he remained safe and unhurt after an attempted knife attack at his seminary in Karachi's Korangi locality.

An unidentified man, who came to meet the cleric after morning prayers, attempted a stabbing attack against the scholar, but was thwarted by those present on the occasion and was captured. The attacker was later handed over to the police.

According to Senior Superintendent (SSP) Police Shahjahan Khan, the suspect had earlier asked for a meeting in private with Mufti Taqi to discuss "a personal matter".

He added that the man is being interrogated and that the incident is being investigated .

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid called Mufti Taqi Usmani and inquired after his health.

Read Alleged car-lifter killed in shootout

The minister conveyed to the cleric that he was concerned over the knife attack and also said he was praying for his early recovery.

In March 2019, Mufti Taqi escaped an attempt on his life while he was heading along with his wife and grandchildren to his traditional mosque in Karachi to deliver the Friday sermon.

According to police, Usmani’s car was targeted on a flyover at Karachi’s Nipa Chowrangi few kilometres away from his destination, the Baitul Mukarram mosque located in the city’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal area.

They said four terrorists riding two motorcycles started firing at Usmani’s car from both sides when it was about to turn left towards a side ramp leading to Nipa Chowrangi.

As a result of the firing a police guard, Farooq, who was sitting on the front seat and the driver, Habib, were martyred.