Daily Times

KARACHI: A rickshaw driver was reported to have killed himself after shooting his wife and stepdaughter dead, and injuring another step-daughter, at their house in Ibrahim Hyderi neighbourhood on Wednesday.

The man, identified as 45-year-old Ahmed Ali, opened fire at members of his family, killing his wife Suriya Begum, 37, and daughter Ayesha, 15.

His eight-year-old step-daughter Rida, was also injured in the incident. Police officials said that the man later shot himself to death.

It was said that after hearing gunshots, people gathered outside the house. They broke the door to find the victims lying in a pool of blood.

The neighbours called the police and welfare associations. It was reported that Ahmed Ali, his wife, and his step daughter were declared dead upon arrival at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. Another victim of the incident, Rida, suffered critical injuries.

SHO Nazeer Chandio said that the deceased Ali had a second marriage with the victim, Suriya, for about six years. He said Suriya had two daughters with her first husband. “Suriya along with her two daughters lived with Ali at his home,” the officer said. He said that the couple had frequent scuffles, adding that Ali shot his family and then himself, in the head.

Police officials said that the deceased woman had approached a court about one-and-a-half-weeks ago to get divorced from her husband, which Ali did not approve of.

“He (Ali) returned home early Wednesday morning with a pistol. Ali insisted that his wife takes back her appeal to get divorced. Refusing which, he shot his wife and step-daughters,” the official said.

Police said they will record the statement of the injured girl once she regains consciousness. Police claimed to have recovered the pistol used in the incident.

The bodies of the deceased were handed over to their relatives for burial. A case was registered while further investigation was underway.

Published in Daily Times, November 23^rd 2017.