Pregnant mum was stabbed to death in front of her terrified children

Her five-year-old son Ameen and daughter Aleena, three, were in the family home in Holker Street, Manningham, Bradford, when their mum, who was six months pregnant, was killed on Sunday afternoon.

And her husband, Tariq Khan, 26, who last night remained in police custody on suspicion of the murder of his 24-year-old wife, had been facing deportation proceedings.

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The couple had separated only a week earlier after a stormy relationship, friends said.

The children were yesterday being cared for at a place of safety, while Nadia's mother, Shamim, who she lived with, was being supported by relatives and friends at a nearby mosque.

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A woman, who described herself as an auntie to Nadia, said her little boy had been asking: "Where's my mum?" and told how he "saw the knife in my mum". She said he had not slept since it happened.

Friends told how Nadia had been born and bred in Bradford. She was educated at Bradford Girls' Grammar School and was described as intelligent.

Her parents split up when she was young and she had lived with her mother for about 20 years. Nadia's children, and her brother Ishaq, and sister Aneesa, also lived at the modern terraced house on a quiet side street.

Shamim was out at work, at a bazaar, when her daughter was killed.

The close friend said: "Nadia was a really lovely girl. She was quiet and kept to herself. I have known her for 20 years and she was like a daughter to me. She loved her husband from the bottom of her heart, but she asked him to leave a week ago."

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Mrs Khan had met her husband, who was a first cousin, when she went to Pakistan to visit her family six or seven years ago. She fell in love with him and returned to Pakistan with her mother soon after to marry him.

Her husband came to Bradford only a few months ago on a residence visa. It is understood he did not speak English and was due to face a court extradition hearing later this week.

The woman said: "Nadia was a happy girl, always smiling. I can't get over it. I will not forget this till the day I die.

"The children have been taken to a safe place. Nadia's mother is broken. She brought up Nadia and she is shattered.

"It is tearing us apart when you look at the faces of those angelic kids."

Mrs Khan's unborn child also did not survive the attack.

Nadia Khan's sister, Anisa, 20, described her as "cheerful, bubbly and happy" who was looking forward to the birth of her baby.

"She was in Mothercare just a few days ago for a Moses basket and baby clothes. She was a really nice person who really loved her children."

Nazma Khan, 41, Nadia Khan's auntie, said: "This should not happen to anyone's daughter. She was a beautiful, bright child.

"Whenever she needed help, she used to ring me.

"She was beautiful, bright and bubbly. We are very shocked. I keep thinking it's just a dream and I just want to wake up."

Another friend, Begum Mahmood, said she would see Nadia every day when she took her son to Iqra Academy in Drummond Road, Manningham.

Mrs Mahmood said: "They are a really nice, respectable family. Nadia was innocent, very naive, and not a trouble causer.

"She was so happy when she went to Pakistan to marry Tariq, but he seemed to change when he came over here. They seemed to be such a happy couple, but I found out they were arguing most of the time.

"Nadia was devoted and dedicated to her children. She was very kind and very loyal. She was really happy that she was going to have another baby.

"When Tariq came over from Pakistan he seemed to be quite a nice boy, and kind to her at that time. I don't know what happened in the months since."

Murder squad detectives announced yesterday they had arrested a 26-year-old man in Bradford Moor at about 3am yesterday in connection with what they described as a domestic-related incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark McManus, of the Force's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: ‘‘He was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

‘‘I can confirm that we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this investigation."

Emmerson Walgrove, lay chaplain and governor at Iqra Academy, said: “We as a whole school are saddened and shocked by the developments and the sad demise of one of our parents.

“We express our deepest sympathies to all of the family members and to anyone who was connected or involved.”

Nazim Ali, general secretary of Naqshbandia Aslamia Bradford, which runs the Jamia Masjid Naqshbandia Aslamia mosque in adjoining Tile Street, said: "The local community is in a state of shock, there is a sombre atmosphere with the blessed month of Ramadan Kareem only a few days away.

"We should allow West Yorkshire Police to carry out their investigation, if anyone has any information pertaining to the tragic incident please can you assist West Yorkshire Police with their enquiries. The family need our prayers not speculation.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and we are on hand if they need any support from us. Our thoughts go out to the children."