Peshawar: PTI leader Atif Munsif Khan and nine others were killed after their vehicle was attacked by rival group in Havelian in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Abbottabad district. Abbottabad District Police Officer Umar Tufail confirmed development. PTI leader was also Havelian tehsil nazim.

According to DPO, rival group had opened fire on vehicle near Havelian’s Langra village which caused fuel tank to explode. He refuted media reports claiming that car had been targeted by “Rocket attack”. He said that vehicle caught fire and was completely destroyed, adding that 10 people including Atif, died. DPO said heavy police contingent reached spot and initiated search operation for culprits but first information report had not yet been registered. Tufail said bodies were moved to Abbottabad District Headquarters Hospital.

Atif hailed from Basti Sher Khan and was son of former provincial minister Munsif Khan Jadoon. He was elected Havelian tehsil nazim as an independent candidate in 2022 municipal elections. PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry offered well wishes for deceased.

PTI’s Faisal Javed said provincial government should “Immediately bring criminals to justice and punish them according to law”. Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan also strongly condemned “Attack” on Atif and said such an assault on political leader was “Very tragic”.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 21 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.