A tragic incident unfolded in the Phulra area of Mansehra district, where a woman and her young daughter were brutally murdered inside their home. Reports suggest the woman had entered into a court marriage in 2021, defying her family s wishes.
Mansehra District Police Officer (DPO) Shafiullah Gandapur confirmed the killings, stating that the bodies have been moved to a nearby hospital for autopsies. Police teams have been dispatched to the crime scene in an effort to apprehend the perpetrators.
According to preliminary investigations, the victim had married Roshan, a member of the Bagal tribe, which allegedly sparked a violent feud between the two families. A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered based on a complaint filed by the woman’s mother.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Nasir Mahmood Sati, in a statement issued by the Regional Police Office, described the event as a “heartbreaking incident” rooted in longstanding familial enmity. He confirmed that the double murder occurred in the village of Nallah, within the jurisdiction of the Phulra police station.
Reacting swiftly, DIG Sati ordered the immediate arrest of those responsible. Special police teams, led by DPO Gandapur, along with SSP Oghi Nazir Khan, DSPs, SHOs, and other senior officers, have launched a full-scale manhunt in the region. Intelligence-based operations are currently underway to ensure the swift capture of the suspects.
The case is being viewed as another grim example of so-called "honour" killings—murders committed under the pretext of protecting family dignity. Such crimes, which predominantly target women and girls, remain a deeply rooted issue in Pakistan.
Also Read: Punjab on high alert: Heavy rains, thunderstorms forecast across province
According to data from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), 346 individuals fell victim to "honour" crimes between January and November 2024. The issue remains particularly prevalent in Sindh and Punjab provinces. In 2023, 490 cases were reported, while 2022 saw 590 such killings, highlighting a persistent and troubling trend.The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that up to 5,000 women are killed each year in the name of ‘honour’. Experts believe that many ‘honour’ killings are not reported at all or are classified as suicides or accidents.
