Jhelum, April 19, 2026: Religious scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza survived an armed attack on Sunday outside the Quran-o-Sunnah Research Academy in Jhelum, while the assailant was killed in retaliatory police firing. A police constable was also injured during the incident.
According to police spokesperson Kashif Kiani, the attacker entered the premises of the academy—where Mirza regularly delivers lectures—armed with a 9mm pistol and opened fire after lying on the ground near the facility.
The spokesperson confirmed that a constable assigned to the scholar’s security detail sustained a gunshot wound to the foot and was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Jhelum. Hospital officials later confirmed that his condition is out of danger.
Senior police officer SSP Chaudhry Shafiq said law enforcement personnel responded immediately, returning fire and killing the attacker on the spot. He added that Engineer Mirza remained unharmed during the attack.
Police further stated that security was already deployed at the site and would be strengthened following the incident. Authorities also plan to seek assistance from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to help identify the deceased assailant.
The attack took place within the jurisdiction of City Police Station Jhelum, where officials said the armed man opened fire when officers attempted to intercept him.
The incident has raised renewed concerns over security arrangements for high-profile religious figures in the country.
Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza has previously been at the centre of legal and administrative proceedings. In December last year, the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court granted him bail in a case related to alleged religious hatred, ordering his release on surety bonds.
He was earlier detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) provisions in August and later transferred to the custody of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in connection with a separate blasphemy-related case filed by its Cyber Crime Wing.
Police say investigations into Sunday’s attack are ongoing, while security around the academy and associated personnel has been further tightened.
