Three siblings die as three houses set on fire

Apparent link to Kohistan video scam

MANSEHRA: Three minor siblings have fallen prey to an enmity which started between two tribes following the alleged killing of five women seen in a dancing video in Kohistan in 2012.

The incident happened in Gidar village in Upper Kohistan on Monday night when three houses were set on fire allegedly by Mohammad Afzal and his brothers. The three minor siblings whose ages ranged between sixth months to two-year were burnt to death.

“We have retrieved the body of a minor girl and are searching for the bodies of her sister and brother in burnt houses allegedly set on fire by Mohammad Afzal Kohistani, who had made posted the controversial video on social media,” Mohammad Imtiaz, Station House Officer of Palas Police Station, told reporters on Tuesday.

Mohammad Sharif stated to be uncle of the two women who were seen clapping in the video and were later allegedly killed in name of honour, has lodged the first information report (FIR) with the police, alleging that Mohammad Afzal and his brothers set their houses on fire as a result of which three minor siblings were burnt to death in Gidar village in upper Kohistan.

The police rushed to the scene and retrieved the body of Hassina aged one and took it to the Rural Health Centre (RHC) in Pattan.“We have taken body of the minor girl for autopsy from the RHC Pattan to the Civil Hospital,” said Mohammad Imtiaz.

He said that police had launched investigation into the incident and would bring the accused to justice.Meanwhile, Mohammad Afzal told reporters by telephone and through a recorded video message that he and his family were innocent.

“We have nothing to do with this incident and those behind all this want me and my family to stop pursuing the murder case of the five women in apex court,” he said.He said that apex court was hearing his petition about the murder of five women killed by Mohammad Sharif and his family members.

“I am striving to remove the stigma that women were killed in name of honour in Kohistan and this recent incident cannot weaken my resolve,” said Afzal.It is worth mentioning that two brothers of Mohammad Afzal were allegedly killed by their rivals following the video in which two men were seen dancing while the women were seen clapping.