Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

– A man in Pakistan is on the run after allegedly shooting and killing a WhatsApp group administrator for removing him from a community chat.

According to police records and local officials, the suspect, identified as Ashfaq Khan, is accused of murdering Mushtaq Ahmed on the evening of Thursday, March 6, in Regi, a locality on the outskirts of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The region, which borders Afghanistan, has a history of sectarian violence.

The slain Mushtaq Ahmed allegedly removed Ashfaq Khan from the WhatsApp group following an argument, according to a report by the Times of India.

Mushtaq’s brother, Humayun Khan, who was present at the scene, stated that both men had arranged to meet in person to resolve their differences. However, Ashfaq reportedly arrived armed and opened fire, killing Mushtaq on the spot.

“My brother Mushtaq and Ashfaq had developed some differences in a WhatsApp group, forcing my brother to remove him. Ashfaq got infuriated and shot my brother dead. It was a non-issue, a very trivial matter. No one in our family even knew about the dispute,” said Humayun.

He proceeded to file a statement with the police against the suspect, who fled the scene after committing the alleged crime. Authorities have since launched a manhunt to apprehend him as investigations continue.

According to a report by NDTV, the incident has reignited concerns about gun violence, particularly in regions where easy access to firearms, the influence of tribal customs, and weak law enforcement often lead to minor disputes escalating into deadly confrontations.

The killing has also sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many expressing sorrow over such violence occurring during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Authorities are urging calm as they work to bring the suspect to justice and prevent further incidents fueled by social disputes.

In other news, police allegedly shot and killed a 17-year-old high school student from Majengo, Nairobi while returning from evening prayers, triggering violent protests in the area.

Following the fatal shooting, outraged residents took to the streets, blocking major roads and vandalising police vehicles in protest. In response, police fired tear gas canisters to disperse the demonstrators, escalating tensions further.

Another victim, Dennis Muthui, sustained injuries and succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained during the demos.

Source: TUKO.co.ke