Woman murdered at Nowshera

Srinagar, Jan 22: A woman was murdered with her throat slit inside her residence at Nowshera area of Srinagar on Thursday, sending shockwaves across the locality and raising serious concerns.

The deceased has been identified as Rashida Begum wife of Latif Ahmed Gangoo. According to initial reports, the woman was alone at home along with a domestic help when the crime took place. Neighbours said that her son is on Umrah, while her husband was outside the home at the time of the incident.

Witnesses said that soon after the body was discovered domestic help had already fled the spot. Seeing the body neighbours raised an alarm, leading to a large gathering outside the victim’s house. Police from the concerned police station rushed to the spot. A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory were examined the crime scene.

Officials said, “Preliminary investigation reveals that a domestic help is suspected to have committed the crime. However, further investigation is underway, and all aspects are being examined.”

A police official told Greater Kashmir that, “the body has been taken to SKIMS Soura for post-mortem and other medico-legal formalities are underway. Further details will be available soon,” he said.

The murder has triggered panic at Nowshera and adjoining areas, with residents expressing anger over the crime.

Meanwhile, the police have reportedly detained the non-local domestic help who had allegedly fled the scene after the attack.

Speaking to the media, Mohammad Shafat, son-in-law of the deceased woman, said the family was shattered by the tragedy. “My mother-in-law was alone at the moment. I even asked my children to visit her. Later, I received a call that something terrible had happened. When I reached, her body was lying in a pool of blood,” he said.

Another relative said the victim’s husband was not at home when the crime occurred. “He was outside and came to know about the incident only later. It is a devastating moment for the entire family,” he said.

Residents also voiced concern over the hiring of domestic workers without proper verification. “There must be strict background checks whenever house helpers are hired through agencies or other sources. In the past, too, such incidents have taken place. Authorities must ensure proper screening so that such tragedies do not recur,” a neighbour said.