TAXILA: The body of a woman who was buried alive in a well on the premises of her home was recovered after a 30-hour search operation by Rescue 1122 officials.

Shabana Bibi, 38, was allegedly killed by her brothers Mohammad Farhan and Mohammad Kamran, who buried her alive in the well on Dec 4 and then filled it with debris to ‘rid the family from evil forces’ on instructions from a local spiritual figure. The well was on the premises of their home in Banni Mohallah.

Speaking to press at the site of murder, investigating officer Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Mohammad Shahzad said Shabana Bibi’s mother left a tip regarding the presence of the body. She had said the victim was bundled into a blanket and thrown in the 300-metre deep well, which was then filled with debris.

He said the family had been ‘treated’ by the spiritual figure as the doors, walls, windows and kitchen items had crosses on them, which according to the suspects in the case was to keep ‘evil forces’ away from the house. ASI Shahzad said a dressing table mirror had also been blinded with white paint.

ASI Shahzad said Farhan and Kamran are in police custody. A murder case has been registered against them, and they have begun interrogations.

He added that although the body of the victim is mutilated, it has been taken to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital for an autopsy.

It took around 30 hours to retrieve the body from the well, Rescue 1122 official Yasir Mehmood said, because the well was full of debris.

He said a number of rescue officials dug up the well, and dozens of oxygen cylinders were consumed in order to retrieve the body.

The victim’s uncle Abdul Lateef told the press that the suspects killed the victim because they believed she was under the influence of ‘evil forces’ and wanted to protect the rest of the family.

He said both men’s wives had returned to their parents’ homes some time ago, and they also believed that the disturbance with their wives was because of their sister, and killed her to get rid of her.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2018