Transgender woman shot dead in Peshawar over friendship dispute

PESHAWAR: A transgender woman was shot dead in Peshawar’s Faqirabad area in what police said was linked to a friendship dispute, while a possible financial disagreement may also have played a role.

The victim, identified as Sara, was attacked outside a plaza when assailants riding a motorcycle opened fire on her, according to police officials. She sustained six to seven bullet wounds and was taken to the intensive care unit at Lady Reading Hospital, where she later died.

Police said Sara was an Afghan national. She had lived in Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for several years before moving to Peshawar around five to six years ago. Because she did not have official documentation, her body could not be sent to Afghanistan. She was buried at Rahman Baba Cemetery under the supervision of police and members of the transgender community.

Faqirabad SP Resham Jahangir said investigators had so far found no concrete evidence of extortion or any threat letters. He said the initial inquiry pointed to a dispute over friendship.

‘Preliminary investigations suggest that Sara was killed over refusing friendship. The accused, Adam, had a prior friendship with her, and the incident occurred because she chose not to maintain friendships with anyone else,’ he said.

The police officer added that a monetary dispute may also have contributed to the killing. According to him, the suspect had allegedly spent a large amount of money on Sara and a conflict emerged when he asked for it to be returned, after which the matter escalated into gunfire.

An FIR has been registered at Faqirabad Police Station. Police have taken into custody a close associate of the main suspect and are trying to arrest the alleged shooter.

Farzana, president of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shemale Association, condemned the killing and said transgender people in the province were being killed repeatedly while also being denied opportunities to take part in functions and events.

Arzu, a transgender rights activist associated with TransAction Alliance Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said Sara’s condition was critical and she could not be kept at the hospital for long because of the seriousness of her injuries.

‘She was hit by seven bullets, and her burial had to be conducted promptly,’ Arzu said.

Arzu said that since 2015, 170 transgender persons had been killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while more than 700 had been wounded in shootings and other violent attacks. She said those responsible were seldom brought to justice.

Authorities, assured members of the transgender community that security measures would be improved and that those behind the killing would be arrested soon.