11 arrested in Balochistan over ‘honour killing'

Police in southwestern Pakistan arrested 11 suspects after a video went viral, showing a young couple murdered for marrying without their families’ approval, authorities said on Monday.

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The disturbing footage caused an uproar in the country, with activists demanding swift justice and a stop to so-called honor killings, where family members target women who don't follow local traditions and culture or decide to marry someone of their choice.

The video, which surfaced over the weekend on social media and was viewed by The Associated Press, showed a man executing the young couple at close range in daylight as others stood by.

Eleven suspects have been arrested, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said in a statement on Monday, hours after he announced that the location and people in the video had been identified. A case has been registered against all those involved, Bugti said, adding that they will be prosecuted.

Chief Justice Balochistan High Court Justice Rozi Khan Barrech took notice of the case and summoned the additional chief secretary and inspector general of police Balochistan to the court in the matter.

In the video, several men arrive in pickup trucks in a mountainous region, and a young woman, speaking the local language, says she is legally married.