Unidentified terrorists opened fire inside a mosque in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing a retired military intelligence Subedar and injuring three worshippers on Thursday night.

According to police sources, the incident occurred during Isha prayers in Nooror Malagan within the jurisdiction of Miryan Police Station when the assailants attempted to abduct retired Subedar Attaullah Shah. The situation escalated after worshippers resisted, prompting the attackers to open indiscriminate fire.

Subedar Attaullah Shah was martyred on the spot, while three worshippers; identified as Abid, Mir Qad Ayaz, and Kifayatullah, sustained injuries and were immediately shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital.

Local sources reported that the attackers, estimated to be between 30 and 40 individuals armed with sophisticated weapons, managed to flee the scene following the assault.

Police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to track down the perpetrators.