Removed From WhatsApp Group, Pakistani Man Shoots Admin Dead; Beyond Madness, Say Netizens

Lahore: Vengeance comes in many forms, often violent and fatal.

A Pakistani man paid with his life as he was shot dead by an acquaintance in a real fit of rage.

What was the provocation?

Mushtaq Ahmed, the administrator of a WhatsApp group, removed Ashfaq Khan, the accused, from the group following some disagreements which led to an altercation between the duo. Furious on being removed from the WhatsApp group, Ashfaq opened fire on Mushtaq, who died on the spot.

The scary incident took place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Regi area, a locality on the outskirts of Peshawar, on Friday evening.

Humayun Khan, the victim’s brother, told Arab News that he was a witness to the shooting.

“My slain brother Mushtaq and Ashfaq had developed some differences in a WhatsApp group, forcing my brother to remove the latter. Ashfaq got infuriated and shot my brother dead,” he said.

“It was a non-issue or a very trivial matter. No one in our family even knew about the dispute at all,” Humayun added.

Local police officer Abid Khan said the victim’s brother had filed a complaint.

According to the police report, the two persons were trying to resolve the issue when Ashfaq suddenly opened fire to kill Mushtaq, and fled the scene.

Police have still not been able to find Ashfaq.

The shocking murder sparked strong reactions.

“Behind such cases, there is always a long story—rivalry, betrayal, and personal enmity on both sides. Small incidents, like being removed from WhatsApp, often become the tipping point where something tragic happens. So, it may seem as if it all happened because of WhatsApp,” wrote one user.

“People kill each other on very small issues. No fear of police law and punishments,” said another.

“Unbelievable! What have we come to? Taking lives over digital spaces? This is beyond madness!” one person posted.

“This is really scary,” stated another user.