Key suspect admits guilt in Sidra killing case

A major development occurred in the murder case of 21-year-old Sidra Bibi as the jirga leader who ordered the murder has confessed to his role in the crime.

Sidra was allegedly killed on the orders of a local jirga in the Fauji Colony area of Pirwadhai police jurisdiction.

The investigation team recovered the Kalashnikov used in the crime from the residence of Ismatullah Khan, the head of the jirga who issued the so-called fatwa for the murder.

During interrogation, Ismatullah confessed that he, along with others, stormed the house of Sidra's second husband, Usman, in Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir.

They held the occupants hostage at gunpoint, forcibly took Sidra from a locked room, and brought her back to Rawalpindi, where she was killed. He admitted that the killing was carried out in his presence, as he had issued the order in the jirga.

Sidra's father, Arab Gul, her paternal uncle, brother, and first husband also participated in the killing. Ismatullah expressed regret during questioning, asking for forgiveness.

Following his confession, the police recovered the weapon from a locked room in his house.

A separate case has been registered for illegal possession of the weapon. The court has granted additional physical remand for Ismatullah.

Investigators informed the duty judge that they are still working to recover Sidra's snatched mobile phone and the vehicle used in the abduction. New lines of investigation are now underway.