Targeted attack?: Tribal elder killed in Hangu

Malik was on his way to the mosque to offer prayers when two suspected militants ambushed and killed him, says police.

HANGU: A tribal elder was gunned down by unidentified militants in Wach Bazaar, Hangu city in the early hours of Tuesday.

According to city police official Azmat Khan, Malik Hadi Khan, an elder of the Mamozai tribe in Orakzai Agency who was settled in Hangu, was killed by unidentified assailants at around 4:30am.

“Malik was on his way to the mosque to offer prayers when two suspected militants ambushed and killed him,” said Azmat, adding the assailants escaped after committing the crime.

“We are investigating whether the elder was killed over a personal enmity or due to a militancy-related motive.”

However, another police official who wished to remain anonymous said in light of past incidents where tribal elders were targeted in Hangu, Malik’s killing was most probably ordered and conducted by militants.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26^th, 2013.