Pakistani TikToker Ayesha Gilamana shot dead at 28 in Taxila, police probe CCTV footage
Pakistani TikToker Ayesha Gilamana Shot Dead
Theindiapostdaily.com – Pakistani TikToker Ayesha Gilamana shot dead in Taxila on August 14 at the age of 28. The social media creator, known online under the name Shamsu Bibi, had cultivated an audience of roughly 1.3 million followers on TikTok before gunmen opened fire on her vehicle near a petrol station. Police have opened a formal investigation and are reviewing CCTV footage captured in the vicinity of the attack.
The Shooting
According to a complaint lodged by her father, Fazal Sahibzada, Gilamana received a phone call from a man identified as Kashif, also referred to as "Kashi," who urged her to step outside immediately. She complied, leaving her home in a car accompanied by her 15-year-old sister Aseema and her brother Naimatullah.
Naimatullah later recounted to the family that two unidentified men, estimated to be between 30 and 35 years old, opened fire on the vehicle while riding a motorcycle near a petrol station. A bullet struck Gilamana in the neck, and she died at the scene. The impact caused the driver to lose control of the car, which then collided with another vehicle, leaving Aseema with serious injuries.
Sahibzada travelled to THQ Hospital in Taxila, where he identified his daughter's body. Taxila, located in Punjab province about 30 kilometres west of Islamabad, is a historic city known for its ancient Buddhist and Hindu ruins, but the shooting has cast a sombre shadow over the area.
CCTV Footage Under Scrutiny
Investigators are examining surveillance recordings captured near the incident site. The footage reportedly shows two men departing the area on a motorcycle shortly after the gunfire. Authorities are analysing the clips to identify the suspected shooters and to reconstruct the sequence of events that preceded the killing. The identities of the two gunmen have not yet been confirmed.
"My son Naimatullah would be able to recognise the shooters if they were brought before him for identification," Sahibzada told investigators.
The investigation into the Pakistani TikToker Ayesha Gilamana shooting is ongoing, with police working through multiple leads simultaneously. No arrests have been announced as of the latest available reporting.
Alleged Threats and Financial Dispute
The complaint filed by Sahibzada names specific individuals in connection with what he describes as a financial dispute involving Kausar and Javed, the latter also known as Shaheen. He alleged that his daughter had received threats tied to demands for repayment of money and that she had previously filed a complaint in Islamabad over those threats.
The family has asked authorities to examine these claims in parallel with the investigation into the shooting itself. The complaint does not, on its own, establish a motive for the killing, and all allegations against the named individuals remain under active investigation.
Who Was Ayesha Gilamana?
Gilamana built a substantial following as a Pakistani social media creator, amassing approximately 1.3 million subscribers on TikTok. Her online activity had made her a familiar and recognisable presence among users of the platform across Pakistan. Her death has prompted widespread tributes from fellow creators and fans who had followed her content for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was a motive confirmed for the shooting? No. Police are still investigating. The family's complaint alleges a financial dispute and prior threats, but authorities have not confirmed a motive as of the latest reporting.
How many people were injured besides Ayesha Gilamana? Her 15-year-old sister Aseema sustained serious injuries when the car collided with another vehicle after the gunfire struck the vehicle.
What is police doing next? Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from near the petrol station, working to identify the two men seen departing on a motorcycle, and following up on the financial-dispute allegations raised in the family's complaint.
Where did the shooting take place? Near a petrol station in Taxila, Punjab province, Pakistan. Taxila sits roughly 30 kilometres west of Islamabad and is known for its ancient archaeological sites.