Transgender shot dead over 'local dispute' in Mardan

As many as 70 transgender persons were killed in K-P in the last few years, says a social activist

A renowned transgender Chaand was killed while her friend Mehboob sustained injuries during a firing incident in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Mardan district, police officials said.

District Police Officer (DPO) Mardan Dr Zahid told The Express Tribune that an investigation is underway to arrest the culprits as soon as possible.

"It's too early to say about the motive behind the killing but it doesn't appear to be a target killing incident but rather a local dispute," he added.

Read more: Two transgender persons murdered in Gujranwala

Social activist of K-P's transgender community Arzu, while condemning the incident, told The Express Tribune that in the last few years, 70 transgender had been killed in the province but not a single accused has been convicted, saying that the government has failed to give security and rights to the marginalised community.

Recently, the transgender community protested against local police authorities, saying that they face threats every now and then.

On Monday, the police arrested a suspect for his involvement in an attack on five transgender persons in Mansehra.

City Police arrested Sabtin Fida, a resident of Bedadi, who opened fire and injured five transgender persons in Mansehra.

Also read: Man held for attacking five transgender persons

The City Police Station Mansehra was informed that five injured transgender persons were brought to King Abdullah Hospital in critical condition, all had gunshot injuries. The injured transgender Mohsin alias Mona while giving a statement to the police said, “I reached my room near Pima Hospital along with my other colleagues, Sabtin who was already in the room, opened fire on us with an intent to kill us.”

Mohsin along with other four colleagues received many shots in the body and sustained injuries. The other injured transgender persons identified as Sameer Iftikhar, a resident of Chakia Road Mansehra, Bilal alias Kaif, a resident of Lahore, Bilal alias Natasha, a resident of Kahwali Ziarat, Mansehra and Azeem Nazir, a resident of Chakia Road, Mansehra.

A case has been registered against the accused under the provisions of attempted murder on the complaint of Mohsin alias Mona, a resident of Sheikh Albandi, Abbottabad.

In February, two transgender persons were allegedly shot dead by unidentified assailants in Gujranwala.

Police said that the victims identified as Shehzad alias Sanam and Zain alias Zaini were in their home in Madukhalil area. They were preparing to leave for a function when unidentified motorcyclists entered the house and shot them. As a result of the incident, both the victims died on the spot.