Three 'honour' killings shock Taxila family

RAWALPINDI:

Three people, including a couple who had entered into a love marriage, were brutally murdered in the Taxila police jurisdiction on Thursday.

The deceased, Danish Akram, had married Seema Gul a few months ago against familial preferences. Among those killed was also Danish's sister-in-law. The suspect, identified as Najeebullah, allegedly attacked the victims with a sharp-edged weapon before fleeing the scene.

The Punjab police chief has taken notice of the incident and sought a report from the Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO).

The triple murder occurred in Mohra Sharifabad, Street No 5, within the limits of Taxila police station, reportedly over a dispute related to the couple's marriage. The victims have been identified as 26-year-old Danish Akram, his 23-year-old wife Seema Gul, and his 40-year-old sister-in-law Shehla.

According to police, the bride's brother, Azizullah, stated that the accused carried out the attack with a sharp weapon in the morning before escaping. Initial investigations suggest that the motive was linked to the love marriage, although other angles are also being examined.

Police collected forensic evidence from the scene, and with the assistance of Rescue 1122, the bodies were shifted to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital for post-mortem examination. After completion of the autopsies, the bodies were handed over to the families.

Preliminary findings indicate that all three victims died after their throats were slit. The post-mortem report will determine whether the victims had been administered any intoxicant or whether other factors prevented them from resisting, as all were found dead at the place where they had been sleeping.