ISLAMABAD: A man gunned down his brother, sister-in-law and nephew over gas bill payment issue on Monday night, police said.

The incident took place in a house in H-13 near Shams Colony police station, where Allah Buksh, 60, his wife Rukia Bibi and their son Zohaib Ahmed, 17, were murdered, while another son Zarar Ahmed, 22, was injured.

Investigating officer of the case SI Niaz Khan told Dawn that preliminary investigations revealed that Zarar came to the suspect’s room and demanded Rs2 million to pay the gas bill, but he refused.

He told his nephew to seek the amount from his father, he added.

Hearing arguments between his son and brother, Buksh also came to the suspect’s room where both exchanged heated argument, he said, adding that during the arguments the suspect brought a pistol from his room and opened fire at his nephew.

Buksh while trying to rescue his son also came under fire.

Both father and son sustained multiple bullet injuries and fell on the ground, the SI said, adding later the suspect also fired at Rukia Bibi when she came to his room after hearing the gunshots.

Shortly, he fired at his another nephew and escaped from the scene, he added.

The police shifted all the injured to a hospital, where Allah Buksh his wife and son were pronounced dead.

Zarar was given medical assistance and kept in the hospital as his condition was serious.

Another police officer said that the alleged killer was a lawyer by profession and practicing at Rawalpindi district and sessions court for the last couple of months.

In August 2018, he along with nine other people were booked and arrested in connection with a murder case, he added.

They were awarded punishment in April 2019 from the lower courts, but released from jail after paying blood money.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2021