A Family of Four, Including Two Children, Found Murdered in Skardu

A couple and their two young children were found murdered inside their home on October 30 near Madina Colony, Skardu.

The family was killed inside the house on Thursday night, according to the initial investigation. Police were told the next day. Police also believe it may have been a so-called honour killing.

The Gilgit-Baltistan police spokesperson named the victims as Aslam, 35, from Talobarq in Skardu Roundu Valley; his wife Hania, 30, originally from Parachinar; their four-year-old son Mehdi; and their two-year-old daughter Dua Zehra.

Police Information

DIG Baltistan Arif Mohmand told the reporters that all four had been killed with a sharp-edged weapon, which was found on Friday morning. Sources also said that the family was attacked with a knife during the night while they slept.

According to police, the family had no known enmity with anyone, but they suspect that the woman's family relatives might be involved. The couple married in court some years ago in Karachi and have since been living in Skardu.

As per the reports, Hania's family was against the marriage, which might have resulted in the honor killing of the whole family. Precautionary checkpoints have been set up at Skardu entry and exit points to catch the suspects.

Anger in Skardu

Relatives of the family staged a sit-in and blocked a road in the Skardu Gamaba area, demanding the killers be arrested. The murders have caused widespread grief and anger across the region.

The IGP (Inspector General of Police) has ordered the Baltistan regional police officer to find out the motive and track down the attackers.

The Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister called the killings extremely tragic and unbearable, and promised the family justice. He has asked the IGP for a detailed report and told police to use every resource to arrest those responsible.

Yet so far, no major outlet has reported an arrest.