A 19-year-old girl was allegedly killed in a suspected honour killing in the Kharkai village of Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, after she was reportedly seen speaking with a neighbour outside her home. Police say the victim was allegedly shot with a Kalashnikov rifle by her paternal uncle and cousin.
According to investigators, the victim was the only child of her parents. Her father was working abroad, while her mother had passed away during childbirth last year, leaving the teenager under the care of her uncle. Due to the absence of immediate family members in Pakistan, the state has become the complainant in the case to ensure that legal proceedings continue without relying on family members.
Lower Dir police confirmed that a specialized investigation team, including female police officers, was dispatched to the remote village immediately after the incident. Forensic experts collected evidence from the crime scene, including spent bullet casings, while the victim’s body was shifted for a post-mortem examination before being handed over to relatives for burial.
Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code (premeditated murder) and Section 311, which deals with offences committed under the pretext of honour. Authorities said one of the suspects, the victim’s cousin, has been arrested, while efforts continue to apprehend the uncle, who remains at large.
Officials stated that the case highlights the continued challenge of addressing honour-based violence in Pakistan. According to provincial police statistics, 160 honour killing cases were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past year, with women accounting for the majority of victims. Law enforcement agencies say that while many suspects are arrested, legal challenges and out-of-court settlements often affect the prosecution of such cases.
Police have reiterated their commitment to pursuing the investigation and ensuring that all those responsible are brought before the courts in accordance with the law.
