Transgender killed in Mardan shooting

This is the third attack on eunuchs over the past week

MARDAN:

A young transgender was killed and another was injured when unidentified motorcyclists opened fire on their car near Charsadda Chowk Museum in Mardan. Salman alias Wara, who was injured in the firing incident, told the police that he along with his colleagues Sadiq alias Coconut and others were on their way home situated at Charsadda Chowk after a concert in Kashmiri Kala Manga when two motorcyclists opened fire on their vehicle near Mardan Museum.

Sadiq, a resident of Rahimabad area of Swat, expired on the spot while Salman alias Wara sustained bullet injuries. The alleged attackers managed to escape the scene successfully after committing the crime. It may be recalled that this is the third incident of firing on eunuchs during the last one week. The police have registered a case against the unidentified accused persons. Further investigation into the case is underway. Last week on March 17, a renowned transgender Chaand was killed while her friend Mehboob sustained injuries during a firing incident in Mardan, police officials said. District Police Officer (DPO) Mardan Dr Zahid had 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 had added. 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. The police also 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. 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. 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.

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