ABBOTTABAD: The prime suspect in the high-profile murder of Dr Warda Mushtaq was killed in an alleged police encounter near Thandiani area here Sunday evening, sources confirmed.

The police sources said the body of the suspect, Shamrez, was being shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital.

The operation carried out in the Thandiani-Kundla area involved a targeted raid against armed suspects.

During the confrontation, Shamrez was killed on the spot while resisting arrest.

Authorities described him as a dangerous criminal who had been evading arrest since the brutal abduction and murder of Dr Warda earlier this month.

Dr Warda, a medical officer at DHQ Hospital here, was abducted and later murdered in circumstances that provoked widespread outrage across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Following the incident, several suspects were arrested, but Shamrez had remained elusive, prompting intensified police operations.

A high-level joint investigation team was also formed by the provincial government to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation.

Meanwhile, speaking at a hurriedly-called press conference at the police lines late Sunday night, DPO Abbottabad Haroonur Rasheed said Shamrez was killed in a police encounter, while his two accomplices fled to the Thandiani forest.

He said the police received information that the main and absconding accused in Dr Warda case was at Thandiani Kund along with his accomplices.

He said the police raided the place, but the accused opened fire.

He said in the ensuing exchange of fire, Shamrez was killed. He said operation was underway to arrest the fleeing men.

He said Shamrez’s body was taken to Ayub Medical Complex, but the media was not given access to his body.

DPO Rasheed said the arrest of Shamrez was a challenge for the police.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2025