ISLAMABAD: An infant died of burn injuries after allegedly being set on fire by his mother in G-6/2 on Friday, police said. Doctors confirmed that Haider, the three-month-old child, died in the hospital within hours.

The incident occurred at the child’s home while his father was away and he was at home with his mother and grandmother. The incident came to light when the child’s father informed the police.

The police said the infant was in a stroller when he was allegedly set on fire by his mother, a psychiatric patient. The child’s grandmother shouted for help and caught the neighbours’ attention, who rushed to rescue the child and informed the child’s father.

The child was shifted to a hospital and admitted to the burn centre under the observation of doctors, police said. However, the infant did not survive.

The police said the child’s mother had been under psychiatric treatment for four years and quoted the family as saying that she sometimes behaved strangely and acted dangerously.

When contacted, the hospital staff said the child was brought to the hospital with 100pc burns. They said his condition was very serious and the medical staff treating him were not hopeful about his survival.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2016