Slain AAC leader’s family in G-B facing threats as police fail to arrest culprits

GILGIT: Despite the registration of a first information report against the alleged culprits for killing Gilgit-Baltistan Awami Action Committee (AAC) Vice-Chairman Javed Iqbal alias Javed Numbardar and the passage of a week, the Tangir police have failed to arrest the accused.

The victim’s family has accused the police of inaction, claiming that the accused are not only moving freely in the area but also threatening them with death if they demand justice.

Nishat Perveen, the widow of Javed Iqbal, has written letters to the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister, Governor, Supreme Appellate Court (SAC) Chief Judge, and human rights organizations, seeking justice and protection for her family.

In her letter to the SAC Chief Judge, she said that her husband was “assassinated” in front of her and their five children in the name of “so-called honor.”

“My husband was a social worker and an active human rights activist. He was brutally murdered without any reason in front of me and our five children. An FIR has been lodged against the assassins at Police Station Tangir, but the murderers have not been arrested yet,” the letter reads.

She alleged that the murderers are “not only roaming freely but also threatening me, my children, and my family members.”

“They have already widowed me and orphaned my children by taking my husband’s life. Now, these brutal killers are threatening to kill me if I speak up for justice. I have no adequate security to protect myself or my family from further harm,” she added.

She appealed to the Chief Judge to take suo motu action to ensure the arrest of her husband’s killers and deliver justice through legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, a delegation of AAC Gilgit-Baltistan met on Thursday with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and expressed concerns over the delay in arresting killers of Javed Numbardar and the ongoing threats faced by his family.

According to a statement issued by the committee, the AAC delegation demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits and full security for Javed Numbardar’s family. They warned that if the killers are not apprehended promptly, the committee would resort to protests.

On the occasion, the IGP assured the delegation that culprits would be arrested “before evening” and, his family would be provided complete protection. “A transparent investigation will ensure fair proceedings,” the statement quoted the IGP as saying. The IGP immediately issued orders to the concerned officials for swift action. However, no arrest was made till the report was filed.