Three arrested over suspected honor killings in KP’s Mansehra

Police arrested three suspects, including the victims' brothers, after a man and a woman were killed in suspected honor killings in Pakistan's northwestern Mansehra district on Oct. 6. A traditional council, or jirga, allegedly decided to punish the pair over their relationship, police said Thursday.

What happened in the Mansehra honor killings?

Gul Nawaz was shot dead on Oct. 6 in the Kharriaan Safeda area, and a woman was shot dead the same day near the Chakkiya Tatore bypass. The killings were first reported as attacks by unidentified assailants. Police later said the two were allegedly in a relationship.

Gul Nawaz's killing falls under the jurisdiction of City Police Station, while the woman's falls under Sadar Police Station. Separate cases were registered, and investigations began after the initial reports of attacks by unidentified assailants.

Who has been arrested over the killings?

Muhammad Azhar Khan, Mansehra's district police officer, told Nukta that the arrested suspects include two brothers of the woman and one brother of the man. He said police traced and arrested them "using forensic techniques and available evidence."

Police said Gul Nawaz's brother, Amjad, was arrested in connection with his killing, and a 30-caliber pistol was recovered from him. In the woman's case, her brothers Abid and Amjad, both sons of Mumtaz, were arrested. Police also recovered a pistol from them.

What role did the jirga play?

Preliminary investigations indicated that a jirga had been held between the two families over the couple's relationship, Khan said. A jirga is a traditional council that settles disputes in some communities.

Further investigations are underway, police said. Action will also be taken against all those involved in the jirga.

What are honor killings, and how common are they in Pakistan?

Honor killings are murders carried out by relatives or others who claim to be defending family honor, often in response to relationships or marriages deemed unacceptable. Such killings remain a concern in Pakistan.

According to police data, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province recorded 160 honor-killing incidents in 2025. In 2024, 159 people were killed in such incidents in the province.