Two TikTokers held for 'killing' rival

Police have arrested two suspects for allegedly killing a TikToker and injuring his friend in Rawalpindi's Lal Kurti area over a dispute involving TikTok videos.

According to police, the suspects are also TikTokers and both groups regularly uploaded videos targeting one another.

Abdullah Khan told police that after receiving information about the shooting of his brother-in-law Ali Raza and his friend Murad, he reached the hospital where the injured Murad said he, Ali Raza, Ali Raza's wife and daughter were travelling on motorcycles to Ali Raza's house when they were intercepted in Lal Kurti by Dawar Ali and another unidentified suspect.

Murad said the suspects stopped their motorcycles and told Ali Raza that they would teach him a lesson for posting TikTok videos before opening fire. Ali Raza died of his injuries while Murad was seriously wounded.

Police said Dawar Ali and his accomplice allegedly attacked the victims at the instigation of Haider Ali. The motive, according to the FIR, was the ongoing exchange of videos against each other on TikTok.

Police said local elder Saeed Butt had earlier arranged a jirga to settle the dispute, but Haider Ali had allegedly stated there that his son, Dawar Ali, was free to deal with Ali Raza.

Police officials said both parties were relatives and that a marriage proposal and engagement issue involving Dawar Ali and the victim's family had also contributed to tensions, with both sides frequently threatening each other.

Police said the suspects had gone into hiding after the murder, but were arrested on the third day through technical and human intelligence. SP Potohar Sardar Babar Mumtaz said the suspects would be challaned with solid evidence.