Pakistani Terrorism Court Judge Shot Dead In 'Targeted Attack'

Police said on April 5 that at least four suspects were detained in the killing. (file photo)

Pakistani officials say a terrorism court judge and three of his family members have been shot dead in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Judge Aftab Afridi, his wife, their daughter-in-law, and 2-year-old grandson were attacked by gunmen near the town of Swabi late on April 4 as they were returning home after attending a wedding, police officials told RFE/RL.

Afridi's bodyguard and driver were seriously wounded by the assailants, who fled the area after the attack.

Police said on April 5 that at least four suspects were detained in the killing.

A police official was quoted by local media as saying that "apparently, it was a targeted attack."

Afridi, a prominent lawyer and human rights activist, had been assigned to the terrorism court in Swat two months earlier.

Terrorism courts in Pakistan were established to hear cases ranging from terrorist financing to the prosecution of perpetrators of militant attacks.

Critics say Pakistan's sweeping anti-terrorism laws have also been used to silence critics of the powerful military.

With reporting by Pamir Halimzai, Dawn, and AP