Waris Fayaz
Handwara, Feb 29: A man allegedly killed his wife in the Audoora Mawer village of Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district late Wednesday evening. While the accused, Mohammed Maqbool Mir (40), surrendered himself for his crime, the locals and relatives demanded stringent punishment for him.
The victim, Rafeeqa, a woman in her forties and a mother of four children, was brutally murdered. According to eyewitness accounts from the victim’s children, the incident happened during the night hours when the accused attacked his wife with an axe, resulting in her death.
The traumatised children, who witnessed the horrifying scene, began to scream but were threatened into silence and locked in a room by their father, according to relatives of the victim who spoke amidst tears. They demanded strict action against the perpetrator.
“It’s incomprehensible as to what circumstances led the accused to commit this heinous act. The accused husband had returned from work just the day before committing the crime,” said the victim’s cousin (brother), adding that it was a local Sarpanch who informed them about the tragic loss at around 2 am.
The accused after committing the crime surrendered himself to the police on Thursday.
The relatives said they are grateful to the local police unit, especially the SHO of Qalamabad, who responded immediately and assured them of justice.
The family and locals seek justice, demanding accountability for this senseless and inhumane act. They questioned how a husband could perpetrate such violence within the confines of his own home.
Relatives, who had gathered outside the hospital, chanted slogans against the accused. They urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and ensure the perpetrator is brought to justice.
Police said they have registered a case (FIR No. 05/2024) under section 302 IPC at Police Station Qalamabad and initiated further investigations into the matter.
“The accused, identified as Mohammed Maqbool Mir, has been arrested, and the weapon of offence has been seized,” a police official said.
“We assure the public that investigation will be conducted with utmost professionalism and diligence to ensure justice prevails. Further updates on the case will be shared as the investigation progresses,” the official added.
