Dr Wardah’s belongings recovered from slain suspect’s house

ABBOTTABAD: In a major development in the Dr Wardah Mushtaq murder case, police have recovered the slain doctor’s belongings and a large cache of arms and explosives from the house of the prime suspect, Shamraiz, who was earlier killed in a police encounter.

Police said the recovery was made on the identification of a detained suspect, Adil, resident of Banota. During the search of Shamraiz’s house, authorities discovered a secret compartment in a room window, from where items belonging to Dr Wardah and a large quantity of arms and ammunition were seized.

Recovered items included Dr Wardah’s mobile phone, national identity card, ATM card, vehicle registration card, a photograph, and tools allegedly used in the crime, including a mattock and a shovel.

Further search of the hidden compartment led to the recovery of a large cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives, including two RPG-7 shells; two hand grenades; one 12-bore repeater (single-barrel); one 12-bore gun; one .308 rifle; one 7mm rifle; one 8mm rifle; around 100 rounds of ammunition; nine magazines of different bores; two daggers and binoculars.

The recovered explosive material, including RPG-7 shells and hand grenades, was safely defused with the help of the Bomb Disposal Squad, police said. A case has been registered under 7 ATA / 15 AA and the Explosives Act, while further investigation is underway.

Earlier, the prime suspect Shamraiz was killed in an alleged police encounter in Abbottabad’s Mira Rehmat Khan area, within the jurisdiction of Nawan City Police Station.

According to police, Shamraiz opened fire on a joint police team during a raid to arrest him. In the exchange of fire, he was killed while two of his accomplices managed to escape. A pistol and ammunition were recovered from the scene, and the body was shifted to Ayub Teaching Hospital for post-mortem. Police said special teams had been formed to track down the absconders.

During earlier court proceedings, one suspect confessed to the crime, while three others denied involvement.

The four suspects — Rida Jadoon, her husband Waheed alias Billa, Nadeem, and Parvez — were produced before the court after completion of their physical remand. Parvez recorded a confessional statement regarding his role in the case, while Rida, Waheed, and Nadeem denied involvement.

Police had sought an extension of their physical remand; however, the court rejected the request and sent the suspects to judicial custody.

Authorities said the recovered belongings of the victim, along with the weapons and explosives, constitute crucial evidence in the case, which will be used to ensure prosecution of all involved.