Land or marriage: Man behind murders of 15 relatives still at large

Gunned down parents, brothers, and others over dowry dispute

CHARSADDA: A man who had gunned down 15 relatives, including his parents, two brothers and fiancée for refusing to pay his dowry is still at large, even after the passage of several months. The 25-year-old suspect, whom the police identified as Gul Ahmad, was on the run after carrying out the attacks in Charsadda.

A district police official said, “Gul Ahmad is a fugitive and is wanted for the murder of his parents and two elder brothers last year.” The victims were identified as Jamal Saeed, Bibi Ramza, Shah Wali and Abdul Waheed.



The policeman added, “His family had refused to accept a demand by the father of his then-fiancée for dowry settlement.” The girl’s family had asked Ahmad’s family for property in return for the marriage. When Ahmad’s family said no, he murdered his family in rage.

According to the police officer, after murdering members of his own family, Gul turned his wrath towards his prospective in-laws for making the demand. “In a bid to take revenge, the suspect stormed the house and killed all 10 family members,” the official said.

The dead were later identified as his uncle, aunt Zarpari, cousins Shah Khalid, Shah Faisal, Irfan, Abu Bakr, Kalsoom, Sameera, Fatima and his would be fiancée Naveeda. “The assailant fled from the scene immediately after killing the family.”



Meanwhile, the police said a few days ago, the culprit visited the house of one of his uncles, Hazrat Nawab, in the jurisdiction of Khanmai police station and opened fire on him. During the incident, his aunt Wazira Bibi was killed, while Nawab escaped unhurt.

Police said they remained unsuccessful in arresting Ahmad as he had probably escaped into areas which are beyond K-P’s jurisdiction.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2015.