Fire Claims Three Lives in Kishtwar Home, Family Demands Justice Amid Suspicion of Foul Play
KISHTWAR, Nov 11: A heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded late last night in Badhat-Jashar village, located in the Drabshalla area of the mountainous Kishtwar district, where a mother and her two minor children were burnt alive in a fire that engulfed their home. According to sources, the fire broke out under suspicious circumstances at the residence of Khurshid Ahmed. His wife, Nazia Begum, and their two children, 7-year-old Amna Bano and 4-year-old Rizwan, were trapped inside as they slept, with no chance of escape.
Despite prompt efforts by locals and the police to reach the scene, by the time they arrived, the fire had already claimed the lives of the three victims. Their charred bodies were later transported to the District Hospital Kishtwar, where post-mortem procedures were carried out before the bodies were handed over to the family for the final rites.
The tragic incident has sparked outrage among locals, with many questioning the circumstances surrounding the fire. Protesters, including the maternal family of the deceased, gathered at the hospital, accusing Khurshid Ahmed, the husband of the deceased woman, of being involved in the death of his wife and children. Khurshid had been married twice, with Nazia being his first wife, and the couple had four children. The protesters raised concerns about the possibility of murder, urging authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly.
“Two of the deceased woman’s daughters were in a madrassa at the time, and the two younger children were with her at the time of the incident,” one protester explained. The family members have demanded strict action against Khurshid Ahmed and his second wife, who reportedly lives with him.
Following the outcry, MLA Kishtwar Shagun Parihar visited the District Hospital to offer her condolences and expressed her commitment to ensuring a fair and impartial investigation into the matter. She reassured the grieving family that the police would conduct a thorough probe.
The police have registered a case and initiated an investigation, with senior officials assuring the public that all angles would be explored.
In an unrelated incident, a fire broke out at the Gujjar-Bakarwal Hostel in Chatroo, causing significant damage to the facility. Fortunately, the hostel staff acted swiftly and evacuated the inmates in time, preventing any loss of life or injuries. However, the belongings of the residents were completely destroyed. Police have also registered a case regarding this incident and are investigating the cause of the fire.
