Man kills estranged wife in front of kid in Mingora

Tahir Ali

MINGORA: A heart-wrenching photograph capturing a young child in tears while sitting on his deceased mother’s lap in Mingora, Swat, swept through social media on Tuesday. The incident not only ignited public outrage but also evoked deep emotions, casting a spotlight on the vulnerable status of women in the region. The tragedy unfolded in Akhtar Abad, Chinar Colony, within Mingora, right in front of the deceased woman’s father’s residence.

The woman has been identified as Naila, the daughter of Ali Rehman. She had been married to Akhtar Ali, a resident of Bhati Chowk, Mingora, in 2014. However, their relationship soured in 2019, leading Naila to leave Akhtar Ali and seek refuge at her father’s residence. The couple had two children: a five-year-old son named Wasal and a seven-year-old daughter named Spogmai.

Very painful & tragic. A woman brutally murdered allegedly by her husband in front of their son in #Swat. The child sobbing on his mother’s lifeless body is heartbreaking – #Pakhtunkhwa isn’t safe for women & children. Barbarism normalised as ‘honour’ & ghairat. https://t.co/jtk4lY7KAa

— Bushra Gohar (@BushraGohar) September 5, 2023

“My sister used to work as a domestic helper in nearby households to provide for her children and cover her expenses,” shared her brother, Noor Rehman. Naila’s life with her husband was fraught with misery, prompting her to pursue a divorce, which he vehemently opposed.

On Tuesday, as she left for work with her young child, her husband lay in ambush and opened fire on her.

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“The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the head, and tragically, she succumbed on the spot,” said District Police Officer (DPO) Shafiullah Khan Gandapur in an interview with HUM News English.

He said that the police swiftly arrived at the crime scene within a mere 10 minutes, subsequently transporting the woman to the hospital for a postmortem examination. “This incident is indeed tragic and has sent shockwaves throughout the entire Swat Valley,” Gandapur said.

The police launched an immediate pursuit of the accused, Akhtar Ali, and successfully apprehended him within an hour.

“We have recovered the pistol used in the woman’s shooting,” Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Amjad Ali Khan of the City Police Station told HUM News English.

https://twitter.com/nazranausufzai/status/1699042982396391521?s=48&t=gncCkR7STsn-r5RaEL-XEg

According to Khan, the man confessed to killing his wife because she had initiated divorce case in the civil family court, which he vehemently opposed. The next court hearing for the case was scheduled for September 9 at the civil family court, he said.

The police officer said that they have a functioning Dispute Resolution Council (DRC) in place, where community elders can amicably resolve such cases. However, he pointed out that due to ignorance and rage, individuals sometimes commit such heinous crimes without considering the consequences or the future of their children.

Advocate Faisal Wadood from Malakand, speaking to HUM News English, highlighted the recent surge in family cases in the Malakand and Swat regions.

On average, family cases make up at least 40% of the court’s cause-list. According to him, in accordance with the law, family cases should ideally be resolved within six months. However, in line with the policy of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa judiciary, priority is given to expeditiously addressing family cases.

“As soon as family cases are resolved, it benefits both spouses. Prolonged cases can lead to unpleasant situations, and even incidents like homicides,” Wadood said.

Web Desk