By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
KHYBER: Unknown assailants shot dead a local cleric, Maulana Sheikh Yousaf Zakhakhel, in a fresh incident of targeted killing in the Karamna area of Bazaar Zakhakhel in Landikotal, raising serious concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the region, sources said on Saturday.
According to local sources, the attackers opened fire on Maulana Yousaf near his mosque when he was returning from leading the prayer, where he was serving as a khateeb (prayer leader).
He sustained critical bullet injuries and died on the spot. The assailants managed to flee the scene immediately after the attack, while no group has so far claimed responsibility for the killing.
Residents said the incident has created fear and panic in the area, particularly among religious figures and community elders. Police and security personnel reached the site soon after the attack, cordoned off the area, and shifted the body for legal formalities. An investigation has been launched, but no arrests have been made yet.
This latest killing came just a day after another targeted attack in Landikotal, in which two individuals were gunned down by unidentified armed men. In that incident, the victims were reportedly targeted while traveling in a vehicle, highlighting a worrying pattern of consecutive attacks in Landikotal.
The back-to-back killings have intensified concerns among locals, who urged authorities to take immediate and effective steps to restore peace and ensure the safety of civilians. Community leaders have also called for a thorough investigation into both incidents and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice without delay.
Police have not yet issued a detailed statement regarding the motive behind the attacks. However, such incidents in the past have often been linked to terrorism, sectarian tensions, or militant activities.
Landikotal, part of the Khyber district, has witnessed sporadic incidents of violence despite relative improvements in the overall security situation in recent years. The recent surge in targeted killings has once again raised alarm bells, with residents fearing a possible return to instability.
Authorities say efforts were underway to track down the attackers, while additional security measures may be introduced to prevent further incidents.
