Constable arrested for murder of Sikh couple in K-P's Mardan

MARDAN: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police announced on Thursday that they had solved the widely discussed double murder case involving a Sikh couple in Baboo Mohalla, Mardan. Authorities arrested a serving police constable who is suspected of carrying out the killings due to a personal grudge linked to his transfer from a security duty assignment at a gurdwara.

Speaking at a press conference, Mardan District Police Officer (DPO) Masood Ahmad Bangash stated that the suspect was apprehended within 24 hours of the crime following an extensive investigation.

Police said the accused allegedly shot and killed Jagannath, a caretaker (sevadar) of a local gurdwara, and his wife, Asawanti, at their home on Wednesday.

During the briefing, attended by senior police officials, the DPO explained that investigators gathered evidence from the crime scene and reviewed CCTV footage, mobile phone data, and other technical records to identify and locate the suspect.

Initial investigations revealed that the accused had previously been assigned to security duties at the gurdwara but was transferred about three years ago. Police believe he remained resentful over the transfer and allegedly committed the murders as an act of revenge driven by personal hostility.

Bangash credited the swift arrest to the coordinated efforts of investigative teams, who thoroughly examined all possible angles before taking the suspect into custody.

He further stated that the investigation is ongoing and assured the public that the case will be handled impartially. Police intend to submit a detailed charge sheet in court to ensure the accused faces legal consequences.

The murders had sparked significant concern among the Sikh community as well as the general public.