Young couple shot dead in Karachi in suspected ‘honour killing’

KARACHI:  A young couple was found murdered in cold blood in what appears to be another case of ‘honour killing’ in the China Port area of Karachi.

According to police, the victims, Sana Asif and Sajid Masih, were between 25 and 30 years old. Both belonged to Gujranwala and had recently married of their own choice before moving to Karachi.

Police found their bodies with single gunshot wounds to the head, fired at point-blank range. Spent bullet casings were recovered from the scene. Their mobile phone, some cash, and passport-sized photographs were also found nearby.

The bodies were shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for medico-legal procedures.

Read more: Rawalpindi ‘honour killing’: evidence shows victim strangled, tortured

DIG South Asad Raza said initial investigation suggests the victims may have been killed by someone they knew and trusted. “It seems they were lured and executed in a targeted attack,” he told reporters.

He confirmed that Sana’s brother, Waqas Ali, had filed a case under section 365-B of the Pakistan Penal Code in Gujranwala on July 16, accusing Sajid and others of kidnapping his sister.

“We are now focusing on a suspect named Riaz alias Fauji, a friend of Waqas,” the DIG added.

Police are coordinating with Gujranwala authorities and have contacted the victims’ families.

An FIR will be registered by the state against those involved in the double murder.