rki.news | Altaf Hamid Rao
MIRPUR (AJK), Aug. 12: Mirpur City Police have claimed to solve a murder case within six hours after recovering the headless body of a young man from the Mangla Dam area, arresting four relatives suspected of involvement in the killing.
SSP Mirpur Khurram Iqbal told a press conference on Wednesday that the victim was identified as Shahzad Ayub Khan, a native of Laikot in Bahrain Tehsil of Swat district, who had reportedly been living with his maternal grandfather in Mirpur for around 15 years.
The case came to light on August 11 when City Mirpur Police received information through Rescue 15 about a headless body lying in water near a cemetery in the Bohar Colony Dam area. Police recovered the body and began an investigation.
The SSP said identification initially proved difficult because the victim’s head was missing. Investigators, however, found a tailor’s identification label marked “WAZIR.T.S” on the victim’s clothing, which helped trace the garment to tailor Master Parvez. Subsequent inquiries enabled police to establish the victim’s identity.
According to police, CCTV footage and other evidence showed that Shahzad had travelled by motorcycle toward Ban Kharman on August 10 and later went to the residence of his maternal uncle Muhammad Bashir.
Police said the investigation subsequently focused on Muhammad Bashir, his wife Tahira Bibi and other relatives, including Musafir Khan’s sons Suleman and Usman Ghani.
According to the police version, Usman allegedly suspected Shahzad of having an illicit relationship with his estranged wife, Yasmeen, who was living at her parents’ home in Islamgarh.
Police alleged that Usman Ghani, Suleman, Musafir Khan and Muhammad Bashir planned the killing and used Tahira Bibi’s mobile phone to call Shahzad to the house in Ban Kharman.
The suspects allegedly assaulted Shahzad before killing him and later transported his body to the Bohar Colony Dam area. Police said they allegedly used a sharp-edged traditional tool known as a “toka” to separate the victim’s head from the body before disposing of the remains at different locations.
The victim’s head has not yet been recovered despite continuing searches. Police said the body was shifted to DHQ Hospital Mirpur for post-mortem examination and subsequently buried.
SSP Khurram Iqbal said police recovered the alleged murder weapon, a toka, along with a stick and blood-stained clothing as part of the investigation. Forensic evidence and other material collected from the scene are being examined.
A case, FIR No. 186/2026, was registered at City Mirpur Police Station on August 11 under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The SSP said the four suspects were arrested within hours with the help of CCTV footage, forensic evidence and sustained investigation. He added that further interrogation was under way and investigators expected additional information about the circumstances and alleged motive.
Police said efforts to recover the victim’s head and gather further evidence were continuing, while legal proceedings would proceed in accordance with the law.
SSP Khurram Iqbal said Mirpur Police would continue action against criminal elements and make every effort to protect the lives and property of citizens.