Islamabad : A 22-year-old student of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) was shot and killed by an unknown assailant at a private girls’ hostel in Islamabad’s G-10/1 sector late Saturday night, April 19, 2025. The victim, identified as Eman Feroze, hailed from Balakot in the Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She was pursuing her studies while residing in the privately-run “Kainat Girls Hostel,” which is not affiliated with IIUI’s official accommodations.
According to eyewitness accounts and the police report, the incident occurred around 12:15 AM when an armed man scaled the hostel’s boundary wall and waited inside for nearly an hour. At approximately 1:30 AM, when Eman stepped out of her room, the intruder forced her back in, where three of her roommates were present. The man reportedly signaled everyone to remain silent and then shot Eman at close range. He fled the scene immediately after. The injured student was rushed to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where she succumbed to her injuries.
The suspect, described as a young man in his mid-20s dressed in white, remains unidentified and at large. CCTV footage from nearby buildings has been collected, and forensic evidence was retrieved from the crime scene. Despite efforts, the assailant has not yet been apprehended. Islamabad Police have registered an FIR under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code based on the complaint filed by Eman’s brother, Zaid Khan.
The incident sparked outrage among students and the public, who questioned the security of private hostels and demanded justice. Social media erupted with calls for accountability, and hashtags like #JusticeForEman began to trend. The university administration issued a statement expressing grief and clarified that the incident occurred outside the campus premises. They extended condolences to the bereaved family and assured cooperation with the police investigation.
Eman’s roommates, who witnessed the attack, have given their statements to the police. The emotional toll on them and other hostel residents has been significant, with many expressing fear and trauma. Investigators believe the attacker was not known to the victim or the hostel residents. Authorities are actively pursuing all leads, and the case remains under investigation.
The incident has reignited concerns over student safety and the regulation of private hostels. Authorities are under increasing pressure to apprehend the killer and implement stricter oversight of such accommodations to prevent future tragedies.
