Gujranwala police arrest bride's friend over wedding-day killing

Police in Gujranwala have arrested a woman in connection with the killing of a bride who was shot as she returned from her wedding reception, with the man described as the prime suspect still at large.

Saba was killed on Saturday when armed assailants opened fire on the vehicle carrying the newlywed couple in the city's Samanabad area, the Daily Times reported. She died at the scene.

The arrested woman was named by the Daily Times as Aroob, described by investigating officers as a close friend of the bride and a cousin of the prime suspect, Sarfraz. The paper reported that the murder case was registered on a complaint lodged by Saba's father and named three suspects, including the friend accused of assisting the main attacker.

According to the Daily Times, police records show that Sarfraz had earlier sought to marry Saba and that his proposal was turned down by her family: a line of inquiry officers are pursuing alongside other possible motives.

Minute Mirror reported that one suspect had been taken into custody while teams search for Sarfraz and others said to be linked to the shooting. Special teams have been formed, the outlet said, and investigators are examining phone records, digital information and other material. The Punjab government says it is monitoring the investigation, according to Minute Mirror.

The Daily Times reported that relatives of both suspects had prior knowledge of the planned attack, and that police have moved to stop all named suspects from leaving the country, including through airport watch lists. Raids were carried out in surrounding areas.

Police have said forensic teams are collecting physical evidence and that officers are going through mobile phone records and digital communications. Questioning of the arrested woman continues to establish what role she played in the planning, the Daily Times reported.

Community leaders in Gujranwala have demanded swift justice and strict punishment for those involved, and local administration officials said they would support the bereaved family.

No one accused in the case has been convicted, and police have not publicly set out the full evidence against any of the named suspects.