Man Kills Wife, Children, 6 Other Relatives, Suspected She Had An Affair

A man killed his wife and eight of her relatives, including four children, over suspicion that his wife was having an affair. The incident took place in central Pakistan on Monday.

Police said the man, identified as Ajmal, entered his in-law's home along with his father and brother early Monday. He opened fire, locked the injured persons up in a room and set it on fire. Police and rescue teams arrived at the scene and doused the fire. While eight of them died on the spot, three others, who were critically injured, were rushed to a nearby hospital where one of them succumbed to injuries. Among the deceased were Ajmal’s wife, daughter and son. The age of the children was not known.

A witness said the suspect first doused the home in petrol before opening fire and setting the house on fire. Police said Ajmal committed the crime over suspicions about his wife's character. While Ajmal and his father were taken into custody, Ajmal’s brother was absconding. The weapons used in the crime were recovered.

"This is clearly an honor killing. He saw a picture of his wife with another man and believed she was having an affair. He does not repent his actions,” a police officer said.

Speaking to the media, Ajmal's brother-in-law, Ali Raza, who was getting treatment at a hospital, said the suspect often argued with his wife.

"Last night, our mother was sick so all the sisters had come to visit. One of my sisters was cooking food and he fired at her first. Then, he proceeded inside and shot everyone else,” he said, adding he wanted the suspect to be hanged to death in public. A police complaint was filed on behalf of Raza.

A large crowd of people including social workers and politicians attended the funeral prayers that were offered Monday evening after which the victims were buried. The investigation was ongoing and the suspect was not assigned an attorney as of Monday night.