In a deeply disturbing incident that has shocked Karachi, a 37-year-old woman has been arrested on allegations of brutally killing her two young children inside her Defence Housing Authority (DHA) residence early Thursday morning.
The suspect, identified as Adeeba, allegedly slit the throats of her children – eight-year-old Zarrar and four-year-old Sameeha – using a sharp knife. Police have confirmed the recovery of the murder weapon from the scene.
Divorce & Custody Dispute
According to police records, Adeeba and her former husband, Ghufran Khalid, divorced in September 2024 after years of marital strain reportedly linked to Adeeba’s mental health struggles, including psychiatric illness and frequent seizures.
Following the divorce, the couple contested custody of their children in court. The custody ruling granted Ghufran full guardianship, with Adeeba allowed regular visitation rights. Under this arrangement, the children – Zarrar and Sameeha – primarily lived with their father but stayed with their mother several times a week.
Ghufran told police that despite the separation, he had been financially supporting Adeeba and was aware of her emotional instability. She had previously studied at a Karachi institute affiliated with a British university but did not graduate and had no regular employment, working only occasional small jobs.
The couple first met in Karachi in 2012, married soon after, and lived together until their relationship deteriorated in recent years.
Incident Details
On Wednesday night, August 13, Zarrar and Sameeha came from their father’s home to stay overnight with their mother in DHA Phase VI. By Thursday morning, between 8:30am and 9:00am, police allege Adeeba attacked them in the bathroom, slitting their throats with a sharp knife.
DIG South Syed Asad Raza said that after the killings, Adeeba allegedly took photographs – and in some accounts, a video – of the children’s bodies and sent them to her ex-husband. Ghufran immediately called the police emergency helpline.
When officers from Darakhshan Police Station arrived at the house on 10th Street off Khayaban-i-Mujahid, both children were already dead. Their bodies were transferred to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for legal and forensic procedures.
Forensic Findings
Police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed confirmed that both children had suffered deep neck wounds that severed vital blood vessels and structures, causing immediate death. Swabs were taken to rule out sexual violence.
Statements From The Suspect
In her initial statement to investigators, Adeeba reportedly declined to defend herself, saying there was “nothing logical or reasonable enough for the murder.” She claimed the children told her to “send them somewhere where they could not face such a situation, which she was facing” – without specifying what situation she meant. When asked whether they faced mistreatment from their father, she did not elaborate.
According to DIG Raza, the suspect acknowledged using psychiatric medication, and investigators are examining the possibility that she was under its influence when the killings took place.
Adeeba remains in police custody as investigators examine all possible motives, including the role of her mental health condition, marital disputes, and potential external influences. Authorities have confirmed that the father will lodge a formal complaint after the children’s burial.
The case also raises questions about mental health awareness and legal safeguards, as it prompts consideration of whether visitation might have been supervised given the suspect’s known psychiatric condition.
This is a developing story.
News Sources: Express Tribune, DAWN News, The Current, and Aaj News.
Comments 1