MANSEHRA, Aug 5: The graves of Syed Ahmad Shaheed and Shah Ismail Shaheed, who waged a war against Sikh rule in the region in the 19th century, are facing an imminent threat from rainwater if proper steps are not taken for their protection.

Syed Ahmad and his pupil Shah Ismail were martyred in 1831 while fighting against the Sikhs at Mitikot area in Balakot town of Mansehra.

The graves of both the martyrs are located at a distance of one kilometre from the place where they were martyred.

The boundary wall of the graveyard of Shah Ismail Shaheed, which had collapsed in October 2005 earthquake, was rebuilt by Al-Khidmat Foundation and Al-Rasheed Trust later on.

Haq Nawaz, a resident of the area, where Shah Ismail Shaheed is buried, said that people of the area were building the remaining part of the boundary wall on their own.

He said that to protect the grave from the effects of rain and weather, the government should build a shrine or a protective wall around the graves.

The grave of Syed Ahmad Shaheed is located in the low-lying area in the graveyard and water gathers around it after every heavy rain. Mohammad Saeed, whose family is the custodian of the grave of Syed Ahmad Shaheed for the last one and a half centuries, said that rainwater could damage the grave anytime.

He said that the government should build the shrine or a protective wall around the grave.

Mr Saeed said that in the past his brother would take care of the grave, but after his death the government did not appoint him in his place and he was performing the duty voluntarily.