‘Honour’ killing: Family vendetta claims three lives

MANSEHRA:

Three of a family, including two women, were shot dead on the pretext of honour in Sachan Jabori village, some 25 kilometres from Mansehra on Sunday.

Sabiha Bibi had married Ibrar Khan without the consent of her family about a year ago, according to her father, Ghulam Farid of Changi Bandi village, who approached the police for the registration of an FIR against the accused.

However, Sabiha’s family had forgiven the couple at a jirga. But about six months back, Kamran, his youngest son, persuaded Ibrar’s youngest sister, Sumaira Bibi to go for court marriage.

On Monday, Ibrar and his father, Ayaz Khan called Kamran and Sumaira over to their house to attempt a reconciliation between the two families, stated Farid in his complaint. But that was only a ruse to trap his unsuspecting family members at their place.

During a jirga held at their house, the father and son became infuriated and opened fire at Kamran, Sumaira and Sabiha, killing all three on the spot. Mahroz Khan, Farid’s nephew suffered bullet wounds and was taken to Ayub Medical Complex, Abbottabad, in critical condition.

The complainant said that Ayaz was not happy with his daughter, Sumaira’s decision to marry Kamran without her parents’ consent.

Sumaira’s father accused her of defaming the entire family, conveniently forgetting that his son, Ibrar had stigmatised the honour of Sabiha’s family by marrying her in court, Sabiha’s father added.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2012.