A police chief yesterday urged people who knew fugitive husband Danish Irfan to reveal his whereabouts.

Detective Superintendent Mark Ridley, who is leading the hunt for the murder suspect, made his plea following the opening of the inquest into the death of 21-year-old Bradford mother Ridda Zanab.

Assistant Coroner Oliver Longstaff said Mrs Zanab’s death was the subject of a criminal investigation.

In a statement, read out by the coroner, Det Supt Ridley said police attended Mrs Zanab’s home address, in Alford Terrace, Lidget Green, at 3.25am on Monday, November 4, following a call from a member of the public expressing concern for her welfare.

There was no response and officers forced entry. They found Mrs Zanab’s body in a first-floor bedroom and she was pronounced dead by paramedics.

Two post-mortem examinations had been carried out, by Home Office forensic pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd, and independently by Dr Jonathan Medcalf. Her body was identified by her mother.

The inquest heard a warrant had been obtained for the arrest of Mrs Zanab’s husband, Danish Irfan. He is believed to be in Pakistan and inquiries were ongoing to secure his arrest.

Mr Longstaff released Mrs Zanab’s body for funeral arrangements.

He added: “Because her death is the subject of a criminal investigation I am unable to say when the inquest will be resumed.”

After the hearing Det Supt Ridley appealed for the public to come forward with information about the whereabouts of 21-year-old Irfan.

Det Supt Ridley said: “All the indications are that he travelled to Pakistan in the days after the murder.

“It is likely that people here in the UK are aware of exactly where he is in Pakistan and I would appeal to those people to assist us in locating him so we can secure his return to the UK to face proceedings.

“It is extremely important that if somebody does know exactly where he is that they do come forward. It will not only assist us but it will help Ridda’s family.”

Det Supt Ridley said people who knew Irfan or worked with him could help. He had previously worked in takeaway shops and had been a student.

The couple had been married for 12 months. Mrs Zanab’s two-month-old daughter is being cared for by her family and is said to be fine.