Gunmen affiliated with the regional branch of ISIS killed a politician in northwest Pakistan, police and the militant group confirmed on Friday.

Axar.az reports that, citing France Press, Sufi Hameed, a leader of Jamaat-e-Islami in Bajaur, was attacked by two masked gunmen on a motorcycle as he left a mosque after sunset prayers on Thursday, according to senior police official.

The assailants fled the scene after the shooting in Bajaur district, an area near the Afghanistan border where militant activity remains prevalent.

The Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) claimed responsibility for the attack via a Telegram message, stating its "soldiers shot an official of the apostate political party."

IS-K has accused religious political groups of opposing strict religious teachings and aligning with Pakistan’s government and military.