A 19-year-old girl was shot dead by her uncle and cousin in Lower Dir district on June 26 simply for conversing with a neighbour boy outside her home, according to police officials. The victim, Karishma Bibi, was the only daughter of her parents and had been living with her uncle after her mother died during childbirth last year, while her father works as a labourer abroad.
Details of the Incident
The incident occurred in the mountainous and forested village of Kharkai, which falls under the jurisdiction of Khara Police Station. Police reported that Karishma was gunned down by her paternal uncle and his son, who were enraged over her interaction with a neighbouring youth. District Police Officer (DPO) Lower Dir, Captain (retd) Bilal Farooq, stated that a police team, including female officers, was immediately dispatched to the scene.
The victim's body was shifted for post-mortem examination. An FIR has been registered on the complaint of the Station House Officer (SHO) under Section 302 (murder) and Section 311 (honour killing) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The investigation officer, SP Investigation Lower Dir Rashid Khan, confirmed that a comprehensive FIR has been lodged.
Weapons and Suspects
According to police, Karishma was killed with Kalashnikov bullets, and spent cartridges have been recovered from the scene. Two suspects, a father and son who are the victim's uncle and cousin, have been named in the case. One of them, Gul Bahar (the cousin), has been arrested, while police are actively searching for the second accused.
DPO Bilal Farooq emphasized that police are taking the case seriously and are committed to bringing all perpetrators to justice. The incident has once again highlighted the persistence of honour killings in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, despite legal provisions against the practice.
