Shinwari
ABBOTTABAD
Police on Monday claimed to have arrested three persons in connection with the murder of Lady Dr. Warda Mushtaq, while “efforts are underway” to apprehend the prime suspect.
According to the police statement, the arrests followed an intensive investigation launched after Dr. Warda’s father lodged a missing person report at the Cantt Police Station on the night of December 4.
Investigators used CCTV footage, call data records and other modern tools, conducting extensive raids and questioning more than 35 individuals before arresting the accused, Ridda Jadoon, Nadeem Zeb and Pervez.
Special police teams were currently in Peshawar to arrest the main suspect, Shamrez, said police.
The investigation revealed that in 2023, Dr. Warda had entrusted 67 tolas of gold to her close friend Ridda, leading to a dispute about its return. On December 4, 2025, Ridda allegedly took Dr. Warda from DHQ on the pretext of returning the gold and brought her to an under-construction house in Rehman Street, Jadoon Plaza. There, she was reportedly handed over to suspects Shamrez, Pervez, and an unidentified accomplice.
Police said the arrested suspects confessed to kidnapping and killing Dr. Warda and burying her in the forest area of Lari Banota. The burial site was identified by Pervez, after which the body was recovered and shifted for postmortem under the supervision of the SP Investigation and DSP Headquarters.
Authorities have seized the vehicles used in the crime, along with stamp papers and cheques related to the gold dispute. Postmortem, forensic, and site inspection reports are currently being processed.
Meanwhile, DIG Hazara Nasir Mehmood Satti described the murder of Lady Dr. Warda Mushtaq as “a very tragic incident” and confirmed that the police department is fully cooperating with the victim’s family. He said the relatives have met with him and assured them of complete transparency in the investigation.
DIG Satti added that Inspector General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed is personally monitoring the case and has issued special instructions. A special investigation team has been formed under the supervision of DPO Abbottabad, and police are examining every aspect of the case.
According to the DIG, all three accused named in the incident, including the female accused, have been arrested, and further investigation is underway. Special teams have also been formed to arrest other facilitators and suspects.
“The accused will be brought to justice by fulfilling all legal requirements,” DIG Hazara said.
