FAISALABAD, Dec 11: Seven members of a family were butchered allegedly by an insane relative over a property dispute in Chak 653/4 in Lundianwala, some 46km from here, early Saturday morning.

Reports said Mohammad Azam, 33, of Chak 240-GB, Jaranwala tehsil, was married to a daughter of Rafiq of Chak 653/4. Similarly, Azam's sister Bushra Bibi was married to his brother-in-law, Shafiq.

Azam was employed at a sweet-shop and facing financial problems due to a meagre income. He had sought financial help from his in-laws many times to run his own business, but to no avail.

Family sources said Azam was a very emotional person, and used to indulge in fighting over petty issues.

On Friday night, he visited his in-laws with some sweets saying his wage had been increased. After taking the sweets, all family members fell unconscious, and the accused attacked them with a sharp-edged weapon killing seven of them on the spot.

Those killed are Azam's sister Bushra Bibi, one-year-old niece Amina Bibi, father-in-law Malik Mohammad Rafiq, mother-in-law Basheeran Bibi, brother-in-law Rehmatullah, his wife Sardaran Bibi and nine-year old son Ali Husain.

However, sister-in-law Akbari Bibi and brother-in-law Shafiq who had also been intoxicated remained safe. They were taken to hospital.

The police have taken Azam into custody and recovered the weapon used in the gory incident.

During preliminary interrogation, the accused reportedly confessed that he committed the crime in revenge as his in-laws were enjoying a good life, but he had been facing financial problems.