Triple-murder, arson shock metropolis

Bodies burned in home to destroy evidence

LAHORE:

A house was intentionally set ablaze following the strangulation of three family members in Shadab Colony on Saturday. The victims were identified as 50-year-old Iftikhar Hussain, his 47-year-old wife Samina and their 30-year-old daughter Iram Shahzadi and a team led by SP Saddar Division Sidra Khan and SHO Chohang Inspector Nasir Hameed launched an investigation into the gruesome incident. The deceased were shifted to the mortuary for post-mortem examinations, and a case was registered in connection with the incident.

Upon receiving information, DIG Operations Lahore Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi took notice and assigned SP Saddar Division Sidra Khan with the task of arresting the culprits. Utilizing modern technology, police swiftly arrested three suspects involved in the gruesome act. Disturbing footage of the incident surfaced, revealing that the victims were first strangled to death before their bodies were set ablaze in an attempt to cover up the murder.

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The arrested suspects were identified as Farah and her daughter Alina and Arsalan and the trio not only allegedly committed the murder, but also pilfered valuable belongings from the residence. Arsalan, who had fled to Okara, was pursued and apprehended under the supervision of SP Saddar Division Sidra Khan.

As investigations unfold, it has been suggested that domestic disputes may have been a contributing factor to this incident.

Earlier this month, five people were killed in separate murder-suicides reported across the province. Two people were killed in an incident in Noorpur Thal, while three others died in Multan.

A 20-year-old man allegedly took his own life after gunning down his cousin. The suspect, identified as Amir from Rangpur Baghor, had been engaged to his cousin Mehwish since childhood. However, Mehwish’s family arranged her marriage to another person from a distant family, leaving Amir frustrated and motivating the heart-wrenching incident.

Upon Mehwish’s return to her house, Amir allegedly shot her dead with a pistol. Overwhelmed by grief and loss, Amir allegedly also took his own life on the spot. Noorpur Thal police reached the scene upon reports of the murder suicide and secured the bodies, shifting them to THQ Hospital Noorpur Thal for further investigation.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2023