Three killed in overnight shooting at Mardan's Sheikh Maltoon Town

Three people, including a woman and a child, were shot dead after unidentified assailants entered a house and opened fire in the upscale Sheikh Maltoon Town area of Mardan late at night, police sources said.

The victims were identified as 40-year-old Jalal, his wife and a one-year-old child, Mustafa. Police said the attackers entered the house under the cover of darkness and opened fire before fleeing the scene.

According to police sources, the incident came to light when Jalal's father-in-law repeatedly knocked on the door but received no response. After entering the house, family members found the three victims lying in pools of blood.

The bodies were shifted to the Mardan Medical Complex for medico-legal formalities and further examination.

A large police contingent, including the District Police Officer (DPO) Mardan, reached the scene and launched an investigation into the killings.

Police said efforts were underway to trace and arrest the suspects, who escaped by taking advantage of the darkness. The motive behind the attack could not be immediately determined.