11 arrested over ‘honour killing’ of couple in Quetta

Quetta: Eleven suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of a couple over a love marriage on the outskirts of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sardar Sarfraz Bugti shared an update on the case via a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He stated that 11 suspects have been arrested so far, and the operation is ongoing. "All those involved will be brought to justice. The state stands with the oppressed," he said.

The incident reportedly occurred around the time of Eid-ul-Adha and is being described as an "honour killing." A video that went viral on social media shows a group of men apparently executing a woman and a man accused of marrying for love.

Following the video’s circulation, Chief Minister Bugti ordered that a case be registered under anti-terrorism laws. Subsequently, the Levies Force and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested one of the prime suspects.

According to officials, the case was filed by the Balochistan government under anti-terrorism laws because no local resident or relative of the victims had submitted a complaint to Levies or CTD.

Reports state that the victims, Ehsan Smalani and Bano Satakzai, had married of their own free will, which angered their families. The matter was brought before local tribal elders, who reportedly sentenced the couple to death.

Sources claim the couple had been invited to a meal in a rural area called Degree shortly before Eid, where they were later taken to an isolated location and informed of the elders' decision.

Before the killing, the woman can be heard in the video speaking in Brahui, telling her killers: "You are allowed to shoot me, but nothing more." She also requested to be allowed to walk seven steps, after which her brother allegedly shot her three times and then killed her husband.

The bodies have not yet been recovered, which has further complicated the investigation.

The video was reportedly recorded a few days before Eid-ul-Adha. Authorities are conducting raids to arrest the remaining suspects, whose identities are known but have not yet been made public.