Prayer leader of mosque arrested along with brother

PESHAWAR: The peshimam of the mosque in Mohmand Agency that was attacked by a suicide bomber during the Friday prayers was taken into custody by the authorities on Sunday as part of the investigations into the tragedy, sources told The News.

According to the sources, the mosque’s peshimam, or prayer leader, Qari Said Zaman was arrested by the security agencies on the basis of suspicion as he wasn’t present at the mosque on Friday to lead the prayers.  His brother Abdul Wahab was also arrested to undergo investigation.

The sources said the authorities initially took their father, Gul Mir, into custody as Qari Said Zaman was untraceable after the incident. Subsequently, the peshimam Qari Said Zaman and his brother Abdul Wahab were traced out and arrested while their father was released. They were shifted to an unknown place for interrogation. The security agencies would be keen to know as to why the peshimam wasn’t present at the mosque during the Friday prayers when it was bombed. The devastating suicide bombing killed 36 people and caused injuries to 31other persons. The injured are being treated at hospitals in Mohmand and Bajaur agencies and also in Peshawar. 

Meanwhile, officials and tribal elders attended the Khatmul Quran held at Ghallanai at the headquarters of the Mohmand Agency’s administration for the martyred persons. Political Agent Mahmood Aslam Wazir and other officials also attended the event and all those present collectively offered Fateha for the deceased. People in Mohmand Agency were still in mourning for the innocent worshippers who perished in the suicide bombing at the mosque in Payekhan village.