UP panchayat shocker: Man kills mother-in-law, brother-in-law, gunned down while ‘planning another attack’ on wife

BAREILLY: A day after allegedly killing his mother-in-law and brother-in-law and injuring his wife during a family panchayat, Afzar Khan (38) was shot dead in a police encounter in the Izzat Nagar police station area of Bareilly early Tuesday.

SSP Bareilly, Anurag Arya, told TOI, “We were searching for the accused when we received a tip-off that Khan was hiding in the outskirts of the village and was armed. The source indicated he was planning to kill his wife. A team from Izzat Nagar police station rushed to apprehend him. When intercepted, he opened indiscriminate fire at the police team, injuring two personnel. They were taken to hospital and are stable.

In self-defence, Khan was shot dead.” Notably, on Monday afternoon, a family panchayat convened to resolve a domestic dispute that turned into a brutal double murder in Rahpura Chaudhary locality under Izzatnagar police station limits. Afzar Khan, alias Bhura, allegedly attacked his wife, Saima Khan (30), with a knife during the meeting over their long-running marital dispute. Saima had been staying at her parents’ house for the past two days following frequent quarrels with her husband.

As family members and locals gathered to mediate, the situation escalated when Khan's brother-in-law allegedly hit him with a slipper. In a fit of rage, Afzar allegedly stabbed his mother-in-law, Asma (54), and brother-in-law, Adil (20). Both died on the spot due to excessive bleeding. Saima was critically injured while trying to intervene and was rushed to a private hospital, where her condition remains serious.

SSP Arya said, “We have recorded her statement before a magistrate. A forensic team inspected the crime scene. An FIR under BNS Section 103 (murder) was registered late Monday. CCTV footage from the house will help establish the sequence of events.” The couple’s two minor children, Faiz (8) and Ayesha (5), were present during the incident and are reportedly in deep shock. Police added that Khan had previously been convicted of the murder of his uncle.