Fatal obsession: police nab ‘Kaka’ for killing TikToker Sana Yusuf

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Police have arrested the prime suspect in the murder of TikToker Sana Yusuf from Faisalabad, with the alleged killer identified as Omar alias ‘Kaka’, who investigators claim was acquainted with the victim and took the extreme measure after Sana did not beckon to his advances. Addressing the press conference, IG Islamabad Ali Nasir Rizvi stated that the suspect fled to Faisalabad immediately after committing the crime in Islamabad. The arrest was made through technical assistance including CCTV footage analysis. The firearm allegedly used in the murder has also been recovered.

Police arrested Omar following during coordinated raids in Faisalabad and Jaranwala, recovering both the murder weapon and the victim’s mobile phone. The 22-year-old suspect, a matriculate and son of a grade-16 government officer, had allegedly pursued the victim relentlessly before the killing. Investigators revealed the accused had repeatedly tried contacting Yusuf, including on her birthday, but faced consistent rejection.

‘Phone was taken to destroy evidence’

The victim was shot dead inside her home in the Sumbal police precinct area on June 2 at approximately 5pm, with the killer fleeing immediately after firing two shots. “This case presented significant challenges, particularly in identifying the suspect,” IGP Rizvi stated adding that 11 raids across multiple cities took place.

A special investigation team reviewed footage from 130 CCTV cameras and conducted raids in Faisalabad, where the suspect – a resident of the same city – was ultimately apprehended.

“The suspect had taken the victim’s phone with him, possibly to destroy evidence,” the IGP explained, adding that seven dedicated teams worked round-the-clock on the case.

“After failing to establish contact through calls and physical meetings, the suspect planned the murder,” said Rizvi. Evidence also suggests the killer carried the victim’s phone intending to destroy proof.

The arrest followed three simultaneous operations, with authorities piecing together the crime through digital evidence and witness accounts. The case has drawn attention to stalker violence and personal safety challenges faced by women content creators.

Police confirm forensic analysis of the recovered 9mm pistol is underway, while the suspect remains in custody for further interrogation about potential accomplices.

Initial investigations suggest the suspect knew the victim personally, though motives remain undisclosed. Authorities confirmed the suspect’s identity has been verified by the victim’s family as part of legal procedures: “The investigative process is being expedited to uncover all aspects of this case.”

“Through swift action, Islamabad police apprehended the suspect who has confessed to the crime,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters at a press conference earlier.

Earlier a case had been registered for murder of Sana Yousuf and a complaint had also been registered on the complaint of Sana Yousuf’s mother.

In the registered First Information Report (FIR), it was stated that the accused entered her house at 5 PM on Monday. The accused opened fire on Sana Yousuf, and two bullets hit Sana Yousuf in the chest.

The accused fled after the firing, the case registration record said. Sana Yousuf was shifted to the hospital in an injured condition, where she was pronounced dead.

“We can identify the accused if he is produced in front of them,” Sana Yousuf’s mother told the police.

INITIAL INVESTIGATION HINTS AT ‘HONOUR’ KILLING

As per initial investigation report, assailants entered her residence, House No 81, Street No. 33, Sector G-13, of Islamabad. The attacker fired bullets at the TikToker, killing her on the spot.

Sana Yousuf was the daughter of renowned social activist and active member of the Tehreek Tahafuz Haqooq-e-Chitral, Yousuf Hassan.

Details are awaited, as police are working to determine the motive behind the killing, however yesterday when the news broke, it was quickly labeled to be a case of honor killing.

PHONE SNATCHING TURNED MURDEROUS

Meanwhile, some reports have also arisen calling this incident a case of phone snatching gone wrong. According to one netizen, claiming to be Sana Yousuf’s ‘neighbour’, a thief entered the house and insisted that the TikTok star hands over her phone to him. This has thus been proven wrong following the press conference by IG Islamabad.

As a child, possibly unaware of the extent of the danger she was in, she refused. This caused the thief to shoot her. The poster also said that Sana’s aunt was in the house with her, while her mother had gone to the market to buy detergent.

Also read: TikToker Sana Yousuf shot dead in Islamabad’s G-13 sector