Who is Sana Yousaf, 17-year-old influencer shot dead at home in Pakistan?
Sana Yousaf, a 17-year-old Pakistani social media influencer known for her TikTok and Instagram content, was shot dead inside her home in Islamabad on Monday.
The teenager, from Upper Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, had nearly 5 lakh followers on Instagram, and was reportedly killed at close range by a relative, according to Pakistani broadcaster Samaa TV. Quoting police officials, Express Tribune reported that the suspect had a conversation with Sana outside her home before entering and opening fire.
'The suspect entered the home, fired multiple shots, and escaped,' a police officer told Express Tribune. Sana was reportedly shot twice at point-blank range and died on the spot.
Her body has been sent to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for an autopsy. While no arrests have been made so far, police say they are exploring several angles, including dishonour killing.
Samaa TV reported that the attacker may have been a guest at her residence. 'Sana Yousaf, who hailed from Upper Chitral and resided in Sector G-13 of Islamabad, was fatally shot by a guest who had come to visit her at her residence. The assailant fled the scene immediately after the incident, and police have launched a manhunt to apprehend the suspect,' the channel said, citing police sources.
Sana rose to prominence through her TikTok videos and was admired for promoting Chitrali traditions, women's rights, and education. The daughter of a social activist, she often used her social media platforms to raise awareness about issues affecting her community, especially young women.
She was also active on Instagram with frequent post of humorous reels and videos that resonated with her growing Gen Z audience.
Her killing adds to a disturbing trend of violence against young female influencers in Pakistan. Earlier this year, a 15-year-old girl named Hira was shot dead in Quetta by her father and maternal uncle for posting videos on TikTok. Police later arrested both men, who confessed to the murder.
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