Police have detained a person known to the family as investigators pursue a possible personal motive in the killing of a woman and her three young children in Karachi’s Surjani Town, sources told ARY News.
Investigative sources said the detained individual was a close acquaintance of the family and frequently visited their home. Police are now examining whether a personal dispute or grudge involving the suspect may have led to the killings.
Mehwish and her three children were found with severe injuries inside their home in Sector 7-D, Surjani Town, on Monday night. Investigators said the victims had suffered head injuries apparently inflicted with a sharp-edged weapon and a heavy object.
The children were identified as five-year-old Hasnain, six-year-old Kashmirah and an 18-month-old girl. The youngest child was initially found alive and taken to hospital in critical condition but later died from her injuries.
Police had earlier questioned Mehwish’s husband as part of the investigation. He told investigators that he had left home to drop his employer somewhere and found the door unanswered when he returned. He said he repeatedly called out to his wife but received no response.
SSP West Tariq Elahi Mastooi visited the crime scene following the discovery of the victims.
Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar also sought an immediate detailed report from SSP West and directed investigators to examine all possible angles, secure evidence from the scene and establish a motive.
Lanjar instructed police to take immediate action against anyone whose involvement is supported by evidence and to keep him updated on developments in the investigation.
Authorities are expected to hold a press conference on the case on Friday, when further details about the investigation may be disclosed.
The detained individual has not been declared guilty, and the possible motive remains under investigation.