Gunman attacks Jhelum Academy of Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza

The latest attack on the popular religious scholar unfolded on Sunday evening when an unidentified armed man tried to storm the premises near GTS Chowk. According to the Dawn, he carried a 9mm pistol, lay down outside the building and opened fire while Mirza was finishing a lecture inside. Police security returned fire instantly, killing the assailant on the spot. Mirza and everyone present remained safe. One constable was hit in the foot but is now out of danger. Officials released CCTV footage showing the swift response and confirmed the incident through a statement by police spokesperson Kashif Kiani.

The shooting is just another threat to the academy's existence. The gunman came into the academy as people were gathering there for their regular Sunday service (which has hundreds who attend in person and hundreds who attend online). He did not come close enough to anybody inside the hall that he could've hurt somebody. Investigators are trying to determine who he was and if there are any connections to terrorist organisations. Authorities have increased patrols around the Academy and to date, nobody has claimed responsibility for the shooting. The quick action taken by the security guards at the academy prevented what could have been a great disaster at the famous Quran & Sunnat Research Academy.

Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza has faced repeated violence over the years because of his outspoken lectures on Islamic teachings and sectarian issues. This was the latest of around 11 assassination attempts on him since 2017. Past incidents include a knife attack at the same Jhelum academy in 2021 and another clash earlier this year during a public photo session. Mirza has spent time in jail too, and often speaks about the risks he takes while sticking to his views on the Quran and Sunnah.

What happens next will be closely watched in Pakistan’s religious circles. Security at the academy is likely to tighten even more, and Mirza may increase his calls for calm among followers. The event may cause a renewed discussion about the need to protect academic researchers from radicalization, or it may also encourage different factions to have conversations more freely. The Police say, they will exhaust every possible avenue for investigation. Only time will tell if this most recent scare will provide a foundation for continuing violent tensions regarding Mirza's research in the future or again lead to more violence between warring factions.

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