The revelation of Zara Qadeer’s murder allegedly by her in-laws in Silakot’s Daska has sent shockwaves through the community.

The investigation into the case of Zara is under way and authorities plan to include her husband in the inquiry.

Initial police findings uncovered that the victim’s maternal aunt, her daughter, a grandson, and a relative “played roles” in the murder, including the disposal of her body by “burning it and dismembering it before dumping it in a canal.”

Law enforcement has arrested several suspects, including the victim’s mother-in-law, Yasmin, her sister-in-law, Yasmin’s son, and a suspect named Naveed residing in Lahore. The suspects confessed to their involvement in the crime during the interrogation. Police have also seized the murder weapon and two mobile phones belonging to the victim.

According to police investigations, it has emerged that her mother-in-law initially attempted to have Zara divorced by accusing her of misconduct. After failing in that endeavour, she allegedly conspired with her daughter, Yasmin, to carry out the murder.

How did victim’s father get concerned about his daughter

The victim’s father, Shabir Ahmed, grew concerned about her well-being and rushed to her in-laws’ home to check on her. Upon arrival, he was informed by Zara’s mother-in-law that she was not home.

“I kept trying to call my daughter, but her phone was unreachable. After that, I decided to go to Daska myself,” he told reporters.

Ahmed recounted his frantic search for his daughter upon arriving at her in-laws’ home. As he entered through the main door, he called out for Zahra, only to be told by her sister-in-law that she was not there. When he inquired about her whereabouts, he was met with the dismissive response that she may have run away with her jewelry and money.

He pressed for more information, asking, “Tell me the truth, where is Zahra? How and why would she run away?”

He reported that he searched not only Zahra’s room but also other areas of the house. During his search, “he noticed something unsettling: Zahra’s two-and-a-half-year-old son was present, and the house had been unusually cleaned, with the floors freshly washed.”

Ahmed has stated that one of the reasons for notifying the police was the previous attempt on his daughter Zahra’s life by her in-laws.

He filed a kidnapping report against her daughter’s in-laws at the local police station in Daska. In the complaint, he noted that on November 10, he tried calling his daughter’s phone, but there was no response. When he inquired with her in-laws, they claimed she had left at 7am, despite her two-and-a-half-year-old son being present at home.

The complaint also mentioned that Zara had “previously been subjected to an attempt on her life by her in-laws,” leading her father to fear that she had been forcibly taken by her mother-in-law, three sisters-in-law, and a relative.

Suspect’s remand and CCTV footage

In response to the situation, the police have obtained a three-day physical remand of the suspects to facilitate further investigation.

The police have obtained CCTV footage from various locations, including the purchase of the murder weapon, as the investigation into the brutal murder continues. Following the arrest of her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, authorities have also apprehended the sister-in-law’s son and an alleged accomplice.

The suspect named Sughra revealed during the interrogation that Naveed had allegedly dismembered Zahra’s body and that he had sent her Rs10,000 online for this purpose, which was used to purchase a cleaver from the market. The police have acquired the CCTV footage related to the transaction.

In addition to Sughra, Zahra’s sister-in-law Yasmin, her nephew, and Naveed from Lahore are also in custody. All suspects have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the crime during questioning.