Retired SP murdered ‘at behest of sister-in-law’

Retired superintendent of police (SP) Farhat Shah was murdered by a shooter hired by his sister-in-law, investigators revealed on Sunday.

The said the suspect was upset over not being allowed by the deceased to keep private security guards.

SSP Liaqat Malik announced during a press conference that the police had arrested both suspects, Hira and Arif Afridi, a resident of Bajaur.

The former SP had been murdered outside his home while he was about to sit in his car on Saturday.

The CIA police SSP said the suspected murderer had reached the spot on a motorbike, wearing a helmet, mask and gloves. He had shot the victim from point-blank range and fled.

The suspect reportedly had rented a hotel room in a locality near the home of the deceased.

Police investigation revealed that the suspected shooter had left the hotel, changed clothes midway and kept waiting for the victim for about 15 minutes.

After murdering Farhat Shah, he fled from the spot, parked the motorcycle and changed clothes again before returning to his room.

SSP Malik the suspect had left "no trace" at the crime spot but the Iqbal Town police team had solved the case within 24 hours.

Malik claimed that the murder had been planned by Hira and committed by Arif.

He added that the police were checking if the suspects had a criminal record.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th, 2023.