By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi
BAJAUR: In a tragic turn of events on Thursday evening, Hameed Sofi, the General Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) in Bajaur District, was shot dead by unknown assailants in the Anat Kala area. Sofi, an active political worker and businessman, was reportedly shot after completing his evening prayers at a mosque. According to local sources, as he left the mosque, armed attackers opened fire indiscriminately, killing him on the spot. The assailants fled the scene immediately after the attack.
The news of Sofi’s death quickly spread through social media, with widespread condemnation from both political leaders and the general public. Many pointed to the rising insecurity in the merged tribal districts, criticizing the failure of intelligence and security agencies to prevent such targeted killings. The leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami, both at the provincial and district levels, strongly condemned the assassination, calling it a targeted attack. They expressed their grief, describing Sofi as a valuable asset to the party.
In another related incident, Habib Ullah Koki Khel, a teacher, was also shot dead in the Sepah tribe area of Bara subdivision in District Khyber. Like Sofi’s killers, the assailants in Koki Khel’s case managed to escape after the attack.
