A Sikh couple serving as caretakers at a local gurdwara in the Baboo Mohalla area of Mardan were shot dead by unidentified assailants on Wednesday, police officials said.

The victims, identified as Jagannath and his wife, were residing within the gurdwara premises, where they had been performing caretaker duties for several years.

According to police, armed attackers opened fire on the couple before fleeing the scene. Authorities were alerted immediately after the incident, prompting a swift response from law enforcement agencies.

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Minority lawmaker Suresh Kumar, District Police Officer Masood Bangash, and SP Investigation Maria Mustafa visited the crime scene alongside a heavy police contingent to oversee the initial investigation and review evidence collection efforts.

Personnel from Rescue 1122 shifted the bodies to a nearby hospital for post-mortem examination.

A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against unidentified suspects at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police station based on the complaint of Amarjeet Lal, the brother-in-law of the deceased.

Police said the FIR includes charges of murder as well as provisions under anti-terrorism laws, with investigators treating the incident as an act of terrorism.

Officials said special investigation teams have been formed, and inquiries are underway from multiple angles to establish the motive behind the killings and identify those responsible. No arrests had been made at the time of filing this report.