LAHORE, July 8: Another child of a milkman whose four children had died in mysterious circumstances in the last three months fell a victim on Monday to what the family said ‘black magic’.

Six-month-old Nauman, Shahbaz, 3, Rabia, 13 and eight-year-old Fauzia died one by one in their Mujahidabad house in Mughalpura. Of them, three died on Fridays, making the situation more complicated.

They all died in the same circumstances and had similar symptoms before death. They complained of choking, began vomiting and then their bodies turned blue.

Ilyas left the house after the death of three children considering it haunted and moved with a relative in the same locality. It, however, did not work and his another daughter died there in the same circumstances.

The governor took notice of the incident after it was highlighted in the press and ordered the Punjab government and the health ministry to probe the matter.

Following orders, Ilyas, his wife Bushra, their children, Shahzad, 18, Uzma, 14 and six-year-old Sobia, were admitted to the Mayo Hospital. They remained under surveillance for four days.

Medical tests were carried out. They were found normal and discharged from the hospital.

Doctors, however, said the mystery could only be solved by autopsy on those died. None of the bodies was exhumed for autopsy.

After being discharged from the hospital, the family returned to their house. Nothing happened to any family member in 42 days after coming from the hospital.

Ilyas told reporters Shahzad, 18, complained of choking early on Monday morning. He was immediately taken to the Shalamar Hospital where he was given treatment for six hours but he could not survive.

Quoting doctors, a police officer said the boy had low blood pressure. “We did our best to save him.” they said.

The body was sent to the city mortuary where doctors carried out autopsy. The report would be issued in a day or two. Later, the body was handed over to the family who buried it in a local graveyard.

Ilyas’ wife Bushra said she had called an exorcist, Yaqoob, from Gujranwala who told her that somebody had sent evil spirits to kill her children. Bushra said her brothers-in-law Fayaz and Faisal, aunt Rani Bibi and her husband Sadiq were behind these deaths. They had the services of an evil man in Kasur, she said.

Police, however, have registered a case on her complaint.