Pakistan Authorities Arrest 11 Suspects Over Viral 'Honour' Killing Video

Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistani authorities have announced the arrest of 11 suspects after a disturbing video circulated on social media, showing a man and a woman being fatally shot in an alleged "honour" killing. The couple's crime was reportedly marrying against the wishes of their families.

اThe unidentified couple was shot dead last month on the orders of a local tribal council in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, according to provincial authorities who initiated an investigation after the video gained widespread attention.

Sarfraz Bugti, the provincial chief minister, confirmed in a statement on Monday that 11 suspects have been apprehended. This announcement came hours after he revealed that the location and individuals in the viral video had been identified. Bugti stated that a case has been registered against all those involved, emphasizing that they will be prosecuted.

The video depicts individuals in a desert landscape, with several pickup trucks and SUVs, presumably used to transport them to the location. The woman is handed a copy of the Qur’an, the Muslim holy book, and then tells a man: "Come walk seven steps with me, after that you can shoot me."

The man then follows her for a few steps. A local police official reported that the woman did not cry or plead for mercy. "You are allowed only to shoot me. Nothing more than that," the woman states in the regional Brahavi language, as translated by the official. It remains unclear what she meant by "nothing more than that." The man who had followed her then aims a pistol at her as she turns her back to the shooter.

Wrapped in a shawl, the woman stands still as shots are fired. She remains upright after two close-range shots, finally falling to the ground after the third. This is followed by a series of additional gunshots. The footage then shows a bloodied man lying on the ground, near the woman's body, and subsequent shots show men firing at both bodies.

Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reported at least 405 "honour" killings in 2024, criticizing authorities for their failure to eradicate these crimes. Human rights groups state that most victims are women, and these killings are typically carried out by relatives who claim to be defending their family's reputation. Conservative families in many parts of Pakistan and India often forbid couples from marrying against their wishes.