TV anchor dies in mysterious shooting

Husband taken into custody as police probe circumstances surrounding Rabia's death

RAWALPINDI:

A female broadcast journalist was found shot dead at a residence in Gulshanabad, Adiala Road, within the jurisdiction of Sadar Bairooni Police Station on Sunday. Police identified the victim as television anchor Rabia Ahsan, took her husband, Ahsan, into custody, and seized the weapon allegedly used in the incident.

According to the suspect's initial statement to investigators, the gun went off accidentally, hitting his wife. Police are investigating his claim.

Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera rushed to Gulshanabad after receiving information about the incident and inspected the crime scene. Speaking to the media, he said police had been informed about Rabia's killing and that her body was found in the bedroom of the house. She had sustained a gunshot wound to the front of her neck, just below the throat.

The CPO said police had launched an investigation, recovered the weapon from the scene and taken the victim's husband into custody. A team from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) also reached the house to collect evidence. He said the case would be registered and a transparent investigation conducted on merit.

According to a Rawalpindi Police spokesperson, the Operations SPP, Investigation SPP and other senior officers were also present at the scene. Forensic teams were collecting evidence, while the body was being shifted to a hospital for a post-mortem examination. The process of registering a case was under way.

Police sources said Rabia's mother and sisters were also present in the house at the time of the incident. Ahsan told investigators in his initial statement that the gun had gone off accidentally and the bullet struck his wife. Police are examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Investigators are also looking into allegations of possible sexual assault, although no such claim has been confirmed so far.

According to police sources, Rabia and Ahsan had married of their own choice and had two daughters. Initial information did not indicate any known marital dispute between the couple.