MUZAFFARABAD, Sept 4: A man went berserk in Hussain Kot village of southern Poonch district on Wednesday, killing three and injuring as many people, police and residents said.

According to family members of the victims, the police had repeatedly been informed about the intentions of the accused, but they failed to take any step to keep him under control.

Habibur Rehman, 28, was angry with his cousin, Sardar Shabbir Khan, for rejecting his proposal for his daughter and instead giving her hand to the son of Ziarat Khan.

In January this year, he had also resorted to firing at the residence of Mr Shabbir following which an FIR was registered against him.

On Wednesday, when both families and some other guests had gathered at the house of Mr Shabbir for one of the pre-wedding functions, the accused barged in and opened indiscriminate fire on the guests.

As a result, Ziarat, 60, died on the spot while the girl’s uncle Zulfiqar, 42, and her grandfather, Ali Sher, died on way to hospitals in Rawalakot and Rawalpindi, respectively.

Three injured persons, identified as Ms Akhtar Jan, Ms Barkat Jan and Altaf Hussain, were hospitalised in Rawalakot.

The police arrested the killer within half an hour with the help of locals.

According to the victims’ family members, only two days ago, late Zulfiqar had filed an application with Banjosa police post, pleading action against the accused as he was threatening him.

The family members told Dawn that even on Wednesday they provided fuel to the police personnel for their vehicle with a request to arrest the accused who they feared could harm them. But that request too fell flat on them, they added.

The accused was on bail in a case involving theft of some cattle in the village.

This correspondent tried to reach the SSP and SHO concerned, but they were not available on phone.

It may be interesting to recall that in June 1997 an ex-serviceman in Hussain Kot village had killed 10 members of his extended family over the issue of tree felling.