Jan 16, 2025
By Umar Bacha
SHANGLA
On a chilling afternoon of December 26 last year, the serene village of Shalmanok in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s conservative district of Shangla was shattered by a horrifying incident of violence. Three armed men stormed the home of Dr. Zia-ul-Islam, searching for Abida, a young woman who had sought refuge there. Their arrival marked the beginning of a brutal act of murder that has sent shockwaves through the community.
A Gruesome incident
The perpetrators, identified as Noorul Hassan, Omar Ali, and Ahmed Hassan, forced their way into the house, according to the first information report (FIR) filed by Abida’s younger sister, Bibi Zainab. “Abida had come to our house only ten minutes earlier. I was preparing tea when the men broke in, grabbed me by my hair, and threw me aside,” Zainab recounted in her statement.
The attackers then barged into the kitchen where Abida was present and opened fire, unleashing a hail of bullets. In a particularly gruesome act, the men fired 33 rounds, leaving her face unrecognizable. “When I reached home, I saw Abida lying dead in a pool of blood in the room,” Khalid, her brother, told Voicepk.net. Abida was married and had four children -three daughters and a son. He said Abida was also being treated for thyroid cancer. Abida’s husband worked in Dubai city in the United Arab Emirates.
Theft allegation
The incident reportedly stems from a theft allegation made nine months ago. Her husband’s family suspected that the thief, who was caught, had relations with Abida. Fearing for her life, Abida sought refuge in a shelter home (Darul Aman) and later in her parents’ house. However, despite her efforts to escape, the violence followed her home.
Local law enforcement officials have since reclassified the case from a standard murder charge under Section 302 to an honour killing under Section 311 of the Pakistan Penal Code, indicating the perceived motive behind the crime. Police investigations reveal that one of the three accused remains at large, while a special committee has been formed to expedite the case.
The police have arrested two of the three accused individuals, who are brothers-in-law of the deceased victim. “The remaining accused is a serving non-commissioned officer in the army and we have written to the military authorities,” Zahid Khan, Superintendent of Police (SP) for Investigations, said. He said the army might court martial the accused and if they did not then police would arrest him in the murder case.
Community reaction
The heinous nature of the murder has outraged residents of Shalmanok, who have expressed their condemnation and demanded justice for the victim. “This is not just an attack on Abida but an attack on the dignity of our entire community. We demand swift action against the perpetrators,” Muhammad Azeem, a local elder, told Voicepk.net.
Systemic violence against women
The case of Abida is tragically emblematic of a larger issue plaguing Shangla district and beyond. According to Zahid Khan, Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Investigations, 19 women were killed in various incidents across the district in 2024 alone. Each of these cases was registered under Section 302, but systemic issues often prevent full justice.
Ibrahim Khan, General Secretary of the Shangla Bar Association, highlighted the legal and cultural challenges women face in the region. “Honour killings are a blight on our society as women like Abida are forced to endure suspicion and violence without proper protection,” he said.
Abida leaves behind three grieving sisters and her only brother, Muhammad Khalid, who is determined to seek justice for his sister. “She was accused without evidence, ostracized by her family, and then brutally killed. We will not rest until justice is served,” Khalid vowed.
The Shalmanok incident has reignited the debate over honour killings and the urgent need for societal reform. Community leaders and activists are calling for stricter enforcement of laws against gender-based violence and better protection for women at risk.
For now, Abida’s story serves as a harrowing reminder of the cost of silence and inaction. The people of Shangla demand answers, and the nation watches closely as the justice system is put to the test.