A man has been arrested after his wife and three children were found dead in Fatah Pur near Mailsi, police said. Officials said initial findings point to a domestic dispute, while the victim’s father alleged a history of abuse.

Mailsi: A man was taken into custody after his wife and three young children were found dead at a house in Fatah Pur near Mailsi, police said on Friday.

According to police, the incident occurred in Basti Bhanjar of Mauza Fatah Pur. The suspect, Muhammad Sajjad, had recently returned from Saudi Arabia and is accused of killing his 30-year-old wife, Suraya Bibi, and their three minor children after a domestic dispute.

Police said the woman was allegedly strangled, while the children were attacked with an axe. The deceased children were identified as Muhammad Hassan, 8, Muhammad Dilshad, 7, and Asad, 3. Their bodies were recovered from a room inside the house.

After receiving information about the killings, District Police Officer Vehari Tasawur Iqbal, DSP Mailsi Rao Tariq Pervez, SHO Mujahid Khan and a heavy police contingent, along with forensic teams, reached the scene and gathered evidence.

The bodies were later shifted to hospital for post-mortem examination after legal formalities were completed.

Police investigation under way

Speaking to the media at the crime scene, DPO Tasawur Iqbal said the initial assessment indicated that the case appeared to be connected to a domestic dispute, but added that investigators were examining all aspects of the incident.

He also confirmed that Muhammad Sajjad had been arrested and said further action would be taken in light of forensic findings and other evidence collected during the investigation.

The killings triggered grief and anger in the area, with the incident casting a shadow over the locality.

Family alleges history of abuse

Meanwhile, the victim’s father, Muhammad Sarwar, alleged that the accused, who is also his nephew, had repeatedly subjected Suraya Bibi to violence and that disputes between the couple were frequent.

He said that after earlier alleged abuse, his daughter had once returned to her parents’ home. According to him, she later went back after the suspect assured the family that such behaviour would not happen again.

Residents of the area demanded strict action against the accused following the incident.

Police said the investigation was continuing and that the case would proceed in accordance with the evidence, including the forensic report.