Man allegedly kills wife, 3 children

Bodies recovered from house as police collect forensic evidence

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MAILSI:

A man allegedly killed his wife and three minor children in an incident in the suburban area of Fatah Pur near Mailsi, police said on Friday. The tragedy has left the area gripped by fear, grief and anger.

According to police, the incident took place in Basti Bhanjar of Mauza Fatah Pur, where Muhammad Sajjad, who had recently returned from Saudi Arabia, allegedly murdered his 30-year-old wife, Suraya Bibi, and their three children following a domestic dispute.

Police said the suspect allegedly strangled his wife to death and attacked his children with an axe. The deceased children were identified as eight-year-old Muhammad Hassan, seven-year-old Muhammad Dilshad and three-year-old Asad.

The bodies were recovered from a room inside the house.

Soon after receiving information about the incident, District Police Officer (DPO) Vehari Tasawur Iqbal, DSP Mailsi Rao Tariq Pervez, SHO Mujahid Khan and heavy police contingents, along with forensic teams, reached the scene and collected evidence. The bodies were shifted to hospital for post-mortem examination after completion of legal formalities.

Speaking to the media at the crime scene, DPO Tasawur Iqbal said initial findings suggested that the incident appeared to be linked to a domestic dispute, though investigations from all angles were under way.

He confirmed that the suspect, Muhammad Sajjad, had been taken into custody and further action would be taken in light of forensic reports and other evidence.

Meanwhile, the victim's father, Muhammad Sarwar, alleged that the suspect, who is also his nephew, frequently subjected Suraya Bibi to violence and the couple often had disputes. He claimed that due to previous incidents of alleged abuse, his daughter had once returned to her parental home, but later went back after the suspect assured the family that such behaviour would not be repeated.

The incident has cast a pall of mourning over the entire locality, while residents demanded strict action against the accused.