WhatsApp Group Admin Shot Dead for Allegedly Removing a Member
Online Dispute Turns Fatal as Digital Feud Escalates into Murder in Peshawar
- Suspect shoots WhatsApp admin after being removed from the group.
- A planned reconciliation turns into a fatal attack
- The case sparks debate on social media’s real-world dangers.
A shocking incident has shaken the city of Peshawar, where a man has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting dead the administrator of a community WhatsApp group—all because he was removed from the chat.
The victim, Mushtaq Ahmed, was gunned down on the evening of Thursday, March 6, in the Regi Safed Sang area of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province bordering Afghanistan known for its history of sectarian violence.
According to police reports, the suspect, identified as Ashfaq, opened fire on Ahmed following a dispute that started online. The conflict began when Ahmed, acting as the group admin, removed Ashfaq from the WhatsApp group after a heated argument. In an attempt to resolve their differences, the two had arranged a face-to-face meeting.
However, the reconciliation meeting turned deadly when Ashfaq arrived armed and shot Ahmed on the spot. “Ashfaq was angry after being removed from the WhatsApp group,” stated Ahmed’s brother in a report provided to AFP.
Local police have charged Ashfaq with murder, citing official documents and witness testimonies. The incident has sparked outrage, both online and in the community, with many questioning how a digital dispute could escalate into such violence.
Experts point to the region’s easy access to firearms, deeply rooted tribal customs, and lax law enforcement as factors that contribute to such incidents. This tragedy highlights the growing influence of social media in everyday life—and how virtual conflicts can have devastating real-world consequences.
As investigations continue, authorities have yet to confirm whether Ashfaq has been apprehended.
