Investigators find lead in Peshawar triple murder case

PESHAWAR: Police investigators say they have a lead into the murder of three women whose charred remained were discovered in the Tehkal area of Peshawar a week ago.

An official of the Tehkal police told The Express Tribune that they suspect an Afghan national, who has since fled to Afghanistan, is the killer.

“An Afghan national, known in the area as ‘Disco’, was living in the neighbourhood with his wife and two daughters. He has been missing since the incident,” he said. The official added that the victims are believed to be the suspect’s wife and daughters.

“We believe that these women have been killed in the name of honour by the accused. He then dumped all the bodies and escaped,” the investigation officer told The Express Tribune.

A high-ranking police official, however, said the matter was still under investigation and they needed more time to confirm whether these were the same women whose house had been found deserted.

Other police officials said investigation so far has revealed that the women were poisoned before being set alight. They said a medical board has been formed on the request of the police to help the investigation process.

Two of the three bodies were completely burnt, but the intestines and stomach of one of the victims remained intact and was thoroughly examined, according to the officials. They said doctors found traces of drugs in the intact remains and confirmed the women were poisoned.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2016.