In a dramatic twist in the Sara Sharif case, five children who had traveled from the UK to Pakistan with Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif, have been taken from the home of Sara’s grandfather, Muhammad Sharif. The grandfather disclosed this development to BBC News, shedding light on the ongoing investigation into the tragic death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif.

Sara Sharif’s lifeless body was discovered at her family home in Woking on August 10, triggering a complex and international investigation. Post-mortem examinations revealed that Sara had sustained “multiple and extensive injuries.”

As the investigation unfolded, Sara’s father and his partner hastily left the UK, fleeing on August 9, one day before Sara’s tragic death. With the whereabouts of the children unknown, questions regarding their safety and well-being remained unanswered.

Muhammad Sharif, Sara’s grandfather, informed BBC News that he had been harbouring the five children in his residence located in the north-eastern city of Jhelum. However, he refrained from revealing the duration of their stay.

On Monday, BBC News received reports from neighbours that the police had descended upon Muhammad Sharif’s property, prompting fears of potential risks to the children’s safety.

Eyewitnesses recounted that dozens of police officers assembled outside the property, blocking traffic and prohibiting any mobile phone filming. Subsequently, Muhammad Sharif stated that the authorities took custody of all five children.

He went on to accuse the officers of damaging the property’s CCTV cameras and gates during the operation. Notably, he had consistently denied any contact with his son Urfan Sharif or knowledge of the family’s whereabouts.

The police have since confirmed that they are in possession of the children, but Urfan Sharif, his partner Beinash Batool, and Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, were not among them.

A neighbour provided additional details, stating that “Police officers, including female officers, raided the house. They broke the CCTV at the entrance and entered it. While inside, more officers arrived outside and stopped the traffic. They stopped everyone from filming on their mobile phones.”

Muhammad Sharif had previously urged his son to surrender to the authorities.

Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool left the United Kingdom accompanied by their five children, who range in age from one to 13. Surrey Police are actively seeking to question them in connection with Sara’s tragic death.

Sara’s mother, Olga Sharif, shared the heart-wrenching experience of viewing her daughter’s body during an interview on the Polish television program Uwaga!. She expressed her enduring grief and recounted the distressing sight of Sara’s injuries, shedding light on the profound impact of this tragedy on her and the wider community.