RAWALPINDI, Oct 7: The son of a retired brigadier has confessed to killing his father, mother and two sisters.

According to a source close to the investigation, the suspect confessed because evidence available with the investigators was against him.

Brigadier (retired) Dr Sikandar Ali Malik, his wife Shahida Malik and two daughters – Zainab, 23, and Fatima 20 – were found dead in their house on October 1.

Dr Haider Malik became the focus of military interrogation following initial investigations, and was taken to an undisclosed location.

Traces of tranquillisers were found from the stomach of the three women, the source said, adding that no traces were found from Dr Sikandar Malik’s stomach.

Investigations showed that tranquillisers had been added to the mother and the two sisters’ tea. However, Dr Sikandar Malik had arrived late that night and had not taken tea. Instead, he was shot dead when he came home.

Military authorities are also investigating Captain Haider Malik’s batman, who was called from Kharian a day before the murder.

The investigation also revealed that Dr Haider Malik wanted to marry a girl but the decision was opposed by his parents.

Their refusal to accept the girl and property disputes led to the murder, the police source said.

According to an army official, Haider Malik would not be handed over to the police. He would be tried by military authorities under the army act.—Mohammad Asghar