NOWSHERA, Aug 22: Six members of a family, including three brothers, were killed over an honour-related issue whereas one of their female relative died of cardiac arrest after she saw the bodies in a pool of blood here at Wathar area on Monday.

Those killed include a couple Suleman and Ms Rima, who had contracted a love marriage last year. The family members of the woman were not happy with the marriage and they allegedly entered her residence and sprayed the inmates with bullets.

The incident took place on the second day of Eidul Fitr (in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) when the family was busy in festivities.

When contacted, the local police confirmed that the deceased included Suleman, his two brothers Shehzad (14) and Ijaz (10), two nieces Sehrish (8) and Asma (10), and wife Rima. One of his brothers named Zakir also received critical injuries and had been admitted to district headquarters hospital here.

Witnesses said that five of the deceased died on the spot whereas Suleman was taken to Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, in precarious condition, but did not survive. An aunt of Suleman also expired when she could not sustain the shock after seeing bodies of her family members.

An FIR had been registered at Nowshera Kalan police station where five persons, including brothers and father of Rima, were charged with the crime. The accused were identified as Sahib Gul, Zahrab Gul, Ibrar, Manzoor and Maqsood, who escaped after the killings.

Local people said that both Suleman and Rima were neighbours and had fallen in love.