Four arrested for ‘honour killing’ of teenage girl in Khyber Agency

Naghma, 13, was allegedly shot dead by her uncle on June 27

PESHAWAR: The political administration of Khyber Agency has arrested at least four men accused of killing a teenage girl for 'honour'.

Naghma, 13, was allegedly shot dead by her uncle, Dadool, on June 27 after she was handed over to him in protected custody by members of a local jirga on a surety bond worth Rs1 million.

Belonging to a poor family in the Khogakhel area, the teenager worked as a conductor with her father, disguised in a man's clothing, sources told The Express Tribune.

She was reportedly abducted by two young men identified as Shams and Sattar. "The girl's uncle, his son and two alleged kidnappers have been arrested," a source told The Express Tribune.

Her body, found at a roadside by Khasadar force in Khyber Agency, has been handed over to the jirga.

Local sources sources said the jirga has decided to kill the two boys who allegedly kidnapped her.

Meanwhile, human rights advocate Sana Ejaz has sent a request to the authorities concerned, including the National Commission on Human Rights, seeking punishment for the accused.

"Punishment must be given to anyone involved in the 'murder', she told The Express Tribune.

While the reformation process, i.e. inclusion of FATA into Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will take at least five years, the region is currently governed through the Frontier Crimes Regulations, and most disputes are resolved through local jirgas.