FAISALABAD: A man and a woman, who had married three days ago without her family’s approval, were shot dead by her family on Wednesday.
Balochni police have arrested two of her brothers. They said they were looking for the rest of the assailants.
The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination.
Police said Aneela Bibi*, 18, a resident of Chak 68-RB, developed a relationship with a neighbour Umar Muneer, 22, and had wanted to marry. They said Muneer’s parents had turned down his request for a proposal.
Three days ago, police said, the two fled their homes and married in a court. They started living in a rented house in Chak 203-RB in Mannanwala.
Police said the woman’s family tracked them down.
On Wednesday, her brothers Muhammad Arshad and Muhammad Akram and cousins Abdul Jabbar and Kaleemullah went to the house and beat up Muneer. They then took the couple to a chowk in front of his house and beat him up again.
Witnesses said they threatened to kill Muneer if anyone tried to stop them. They said Muneer’s family also came out of their house. They tried to rescue Muneer. Seeing them get close to him, Arshad and Akram shot at Muneer.
Aneela Bibi came in the way and was shot. Muneer was also shot. They both died on the spot.
Someone informed the police, who arrested Arshad and Akram. Their accomplices fled the scene.
The bodies were sent to the Jaranwala tehsil headquarters hospital.
Balochni station house officer said that a police team had been formed to look for the rest of the assailants. He said a case had been registered against Arshad and Akram under Sections 302 (murder) and 365 (kidnapping) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
*Names Have Been Changed To Protect Identities
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2013.