MINGORA: A man severely tortured his mother and then hacked her to death with a spade at Shah Dehrai area of Swat on Friday.

Police identified the victim as Bakht Saba, and the accused as Gul Faraz who escaped the area after the gruesome murder.

Shah Dehrai police registered case and began investigation.

An official said the slain woman had allegedly killed her husband a year ago and was charged in the murder case.

Meanwhile, body of a minor boy was recovered from Swat River on Saturday. The victim was identified as seven-year-old Waqar, resident of Charbagh, Swat.

Meanwhile, at least five shops and four vehicles were gutted in far-flung Cham area of Bahrain Swat on Friday night.

Police said that Amir Zada, owner of the shops, where vehicles were parked, said that some unknown persons had set fire to shops and then escaped.

Police said that two cars, a motorcycle and a mini-truck were destroyed in the incident.

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2014