MULTAN: Police claimed to have arrested the prime suspect and his accomplice father who allegedly killed nine of his in-laws, including his wife and children, over ‘honour’ on Sunday night.

Ali Raza, a resident of Hasanabad, in the FIR (No523/19) registered with New Multan police under sections 302/324, 148/149, 336-B of the Pakistan Penal Code and section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997 stated that his father Lal Muhammad, sisters Saima, Asmia, Kiran and Ruma, his nieces Naima Shahzad, Maiza, and nephews Adil, Saim and Arslan, along with his mother Tasneem Bibi were present at his house when his brother-in-law Ajmal (husband of Kiran) his (Ajmal’s) brother Ashmal, and their father Zaffar equipped with weapons arrived there.

He stated that Ajmal first shot his sister Asima and then the three suspects opened indiscriminate fire.

As a result, he said his sisters Kiran and Saima, mother Tasneem Bibi, and nieces (Ajmal’s daughters) Naima Shahzadi, Miaza and nephew (Ajmal’s son) Adil died on the spot.

He stated that meanwhile Ajmal’s mother Farhat and Aneela (wife of Ashmal), entered the house carrying bottles filled with petrol and gave these to Ajmal and Ashmal who sprinkled the fuel and set the house on fire.

He stated that to save their lives, he, his father, his sister Ruma, Saim and Arslan run toward the house of Khuda Bakhsh Baloch, a neighbor and former councillor. But, he said the suspects chased them and again attacked them, killing Ruma on the spot and injuring others.

About the motive of the killings, he said Ajmal had suspicions about his wife’s character. He added that he attacked his in-laws for supporting his wife.

Later two injured persons -- Saim and Ali Raza -- were shifted to the Nishtar Hospital.

Nishtar Hospital doctor Amjad Chandio said that one of the injured, Saim, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, while the condition of Ali Raza was stable.

Duty officer at the New Multan police station said nine people lost their lives in the attack, while the police had arrested the main suspect, Ajmal and his father Zaffar. He said raids were being conducted to arrest the remaining suspects.

The funeral prayers for the deceased persons were yet to be offered.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2019