PTI leader, 9 others killed in attack on vehicle by ‘rival group’ in Havelian: police

Published March 20, 2023
This image shows officials inspecting the charred remains of the vehicle. — DawnNewsTV
This image shows officials inspecting the charred remains of the vehicle. — DawnNewsTV

PTI leader Atif Munsif Khan and nine others were killed on Monday after their vehicle was attacked by a rival group in Havelian in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Abbottabad district.

Abbottabad District Police Officer (DPO) Umar Tufail confirmed the development to Dawn.com. The PTI leader was also the Havelian tehsil nazim.

According to the DPO, a rival group had opened fire on the vehicle near Havelian’s Langra village which caused the fuel tank to explode. He refuted media reports claiming that the car had been targeted by a “rocket attack”.

He said that the vehicle caught fire and was completely destroyed, adding that 10 people, including Atif, died.

The DPO said a heavy police contingent reached the spot and initiated a search operation for the culprits but a first information report (FIR) had not yet been registered.

Tufail said the bodies were moved to the Abbottabad District Headquarters Hospital.

Atif hailed from Basti Sher Khan and was the son of former provincial minister Munsif Khan Jadoon. He was elected the Havelian tehsil nazim as an independent candidate in the 2022 municipal elections.

PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry offered well wishes for the deceased.

PTI’s Faisal Javed said the provincial government should “immediately bring the criminals to justice and punish them according to the law”.

Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Mahmood Khan also strongly condemned the “attack” on Atif and said such an assault on a political leader was “very tragic”.

Opinion

Editorial

System failure
Updated 12 Nov, 2024

System failure

Relevant institutions often treat right to internet connectivity with the same disdain as they do civil and political rights.
Narrowing the gap
12 Nov, 2024

Narrowing the gap

PERHAPS a pat on the back is in order for the ECP. Together with Nadra, it has made visible efforts to reduce...
Back on their feet
12 Nov, 2024

Back on their feet

A STIRRING comeback in the series has ended Pakistan’s 22-year wait for victory against world champions Australia....
Time to deliver
Updated 11 Nov, 2024

Time to deliver

Pakistan must display a serious commitment to climate change adaptation and mitigation at home.
Smaller government
11 Nov, 2024

Smaller government

THE IMF bailout programme has put the government under pressure to curtail its spending, especially current...
Unsafe inheritance
11 Nov, 2024

Unsafe inheritance

DESPITE regulations, the troubling practice of robbing women of their rightful inheritance — the culprits are ...