In Balochistan’s capital Quetta, the main suspect Bashir Ahmed and 20 others have been arrested for killing a couple over a love marriage. Among the arrested are Sherbaz Satakzai, the chief of the Satakzai tribe, his four brothers, and two guards. A case has been registered at Hanna Urak police station on behalf of the Station House Officer (SHO).
According to details, after a video went viral of the couple Bano Satakzai and Ehsanullah Smalani — who were killed three days before Eid al-Adha in the outskirts of Quetta in the Degari area — the police launched an operation and arrested more than 20 people. A report quoting police sources said that among the arrested are the main accused Bashir Ahmed and Sherbaz Satakzai, the tribal chief of the Satakzai tribe, along with his four brothers and two guards. The suspects will be presented before a judicial magistrate today.
Quetta Police have handed over the case to the Serious Crimes Investigation Wing for further investigation. Chief Minister of Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti has strongly condemned the incident and assured the provision of justice. In a statement on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said, “All those involved will be brought to justice; the state stands with the oppressed.”
According to police, the case has been registered at Hanna Urak police station on behalf of SHO Naveed Akhtar. According to the FIR, the video of the incident went viral on social media in which a woman and man are shown being shot and killed.
SHO Naveed Akhtar stated that he, along with the police force, reached the incident site in the Degari area of Sanjidi, where initial information revealed that the incident had occurred three days before Eid al-Adha.
According to the complainant, Bano Bibi and Ehsanullah were killed under the accusation of “karokari” (honor killing). Allegedly involved in the incident were Shah Wazir, Jalal, Takri Munir, Bakhtiyar, Malik Ameer, Ajab Khan, Jan Muhammad, Bashir Ahmed, and 15 other unidentified individuals.
The complainant alleged that the individuals presented the woman and the man before Sardar Sherbaz Khan, who declared the judgment of “karokari” and ordered both to be killed. They were then taken by vehicles and shot dead in Quetta’s suburban area of Degari.
The video of the killing was recorded during the incident and uploaded on social media, which caused widespread fear and panic among the public. The police have registered the case under the Anti-Terrorism Act, Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code, and other relevant sections. Further investigations are underway.
This incident occurred a few days before Eid al-Adha when a couple was shot dead in the name of honor, and the video clip went viral on social media.
The arrest of Sardar Sherbaz Satakzai has caused a stir in Balochistan’s traditional tribal system.
Several Sardars of Sarawan have strongly reacted to this arrest, condemned the incident, and announced the calling of a tribal jirga to decide the next course of action.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti confirmed on social media platform X that so far 11 individuals have been arrested and the operation is ongoing.
He stated that the state stands with the oppressed, justice will be served, and whoever is involved in this heinous crime will be brought to justice.
The Chief Minister made it clear that the state has taken suo motu notice of this incident and the case has been registered under anti-terrorism laws. He instructed law enforcement agencies to proceed with full seriousness and to give no concessions to any influential individuals.
Government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed that intelligence and security agencies are actively investigating the actual location and facts of the incident, and this case is among the government’s top priorities.
