MINGORA: Malakand police on Monday claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) minority MPA Soran Singh was killed over political rivalry, and the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan's (TTP) claim to have killed him is false.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Malakand Azad Khan in a press conference claimed that a fellow PTI leader Baldev Kumar was behind the murder of Soran Singh as he wanted to avenge political rivalry.

"Baldev Kumar wanted to contest the election instead of Singh... after failing to get the party ticket, Kumar planned the murder," said DIG Khan.

The six suspects arrested in connection with Singh's murder. — DawnNews screengrab

The officer said police had arrested six people in connection with the murder including Baldev and the assassins hired to kill the PTI lawmaker, and registered cases against them.

DIG Malakand further said that anti-terrorism clauses have been included in the cases as the murder invoked fear among the people of the area and minority community.

Answering a question about the police security provided to the slain MPA, the officer said Singh always refused to keep police guards with him in Buner, "as he felt safe enough in his hometown".

Police had arrested Baldev on Sunday from Barikot tehsil of Swat and shifted him to an unspecified location for interrogation.

Sardar Soran Singh, special assistant to chief minister KP on minorities’ affairs and an MPA, was gunned down in a targeted attack near Pir Baba in Buner district on Friday. TTP had claimed responsibility for the assassination.

Elected to the provincial assembly on a reserved seat and a Sikh by faith, the deceased was revered by minorities for promoting interfaith harmony, installing boxes in the streets to collect torn pieces of sacred scriptures, and promoting the country’s soft image through speeches.