A man in Peshawar, Pakistan has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting and killing the administrator of a community WhatsApp group who removed him from the chat, local police confirmed Saturday.
The incident highlights the volatile situation in the region, fueled by easy access to firearms and the influence of traditional customs.
Mushtaq Ahmed was fatally shot on Thursday evening in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province bordering Afghanistan that has a history of sectarian violence.
According to police documents and a statement from a local police official, the suspect, identified only as Ashfaq, has been charged with Ahmed’s murder.
The dispute reportedly stemmed from an argument within the WhatsApp group, leading to Mushtaq’s decision to remove Ashfaq from the chat.
Mushtaq’s brother stated in a statement that following the online disagreement, the two men arranged to meet in an attempt to reconcile.
However, the meeting took a deadly turn when Ashfaq allegedly arrived armed and opened fire, killing Mushtaq.
According to Ashfaq’s statement, he was enraged “in reaction to removal from WhatsApp group.”
This tragic incident underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in the region. The prevalence of easily accessible firearms, coupled with the influence of tribal customs and, at times, weak law enforcement, contribute to a climate where personal disputes can quickly escalate into acts of violence. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
