The murder investigation of an 18-year-old girl in Pakistan has uncovered a shocking link to an incident where village elders allegedly ordered her execution for posting a picture of herself on social media, according to Reuters. The investigation indicates that the girl was killed as a result of her conservative cousin’s decision to also target her friend who appeared in the photo. The suspects in custody include relatives of the girl, who are believed to have been involved in the murder.

Authorities have taken one girl into custody and have successfully rescued the other, as confirmed by Malik Masood, the police chief of the Kohat district. This brutal murder sheds light on the pervasive issue of honor killings in Pakistan, where family members feel compelled to carry out such acts to protect their family’s reputation.

Speaking during a press conference, Saied Urshad, the spokesperson for the head of the Provincial Administration of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, emphasized that a thorough investigation is underway. He suggested that the perpetrators of these killings are individuals who have become radicalized. The second girl was permitted to return home following her release on bail ordered by the court.