The suspect in the Surjani Town quadruple murder case was shot dead during a police operation to recover the murder weapon, police said on Thursday. The suspect, identified as Muhammad Hamayoun Khan, son of Hassan Khan, had been earlier taken into police custody in connection with the gruesome murder of 34-year-old Mehwish, wife of Muhammad Danish, and her three children -- 8-year-old Mir Haad, 6-year-old Hasnain and 2-year-old Ashmira.

He had allegedly killed the woman and her children at their home in Sector 7-D by striking their heads with an iron rod on September 14. Police said the suspect was being taken to a place for the recovery of the murder weapon when he allegedly snatched a police officer's pistol and opened fire while attempting to escape. The firing resulted in injuries to ASI Nauman Sheikh.

Police officials said the cops retaliated in self-defence and shot the accused. Hamayoun Khan sustained bullet wounds and died at the scene. Following the shooting, police recovered the snatched police pistol as well as the alleged murder weapon, an iron rod, from the site.

The body of the accused was shifted to a hospital for legal and medico-legal proceedings. Police said further investigations into the Surjani Town killings and the circumstances surrounding the encounter were underway. Officials were also examining the recovered weapon and other available evidence to establish the accused's role in the murder of the woman and her three children.

Earlier in the day, the District West police said they arrested the suspect. A case was registered at the Surjani Police Station under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of the deceased woman's father-in-law. Later, a team constituted by DIG West Zone Irfan Baloch, led by SSP West Tariq Elahi Mastoi, conducted an operation based on technical and human intelligence and arrested the suspect, Muhammad Humayun Khan, the brother-in-law of Mehwish (husband of Danish's sister).

The suspect revealed that on the day of the incident, he visited Danish's house under the pretext of a casual visit at a time when Danish was not at home. After spending some time in the house, the suspect attempted to force himself upon the woman; however, upon facing resistance, he struck and killed Mehwish and later 2-year-old Ashmira using a metal rod found in the house.

The suspect stated that as he opened the door to leave with the murder weapon, the two older children returned from their madrasa and he killed them as well by striking them with the same rod. He then fled with the murder weapon and even returned to the area a few hours later to observe the situation. After fleeing the scene, the accused discarded the murder weapon into a drain along the way.

Efforts to recover the weapon are underway. The accused further revealed that he had visited the victim's home at night the day before the incident as well; however, the victim's husband had turned him away at the door, stating that everyone in the house was asleep at the time. The accused is being handed over to investigating authorities for further legal proceedings and interrogation, aiming to clarify all aspects of the incident, the accused's motives, the recovery of the murder weapon, and other potential evidence.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar commended the DIG, SSP West, and the entire team for arresting the suspect, saying the arrest was a result of the police's professional competence and effective investigation. Police operations aimed at protecting the lives and property of citizens and eradicating serious crimes must be made more effective, he said. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also lauded the police team for arresting the alleged killer of the woman and three children in Surjani Town.

He praised the District West police team for arresting the ruthless accused within just three days. DIG West Irfan Baloch confirmed the arrest of the killer during a press conference on Thursday. The CM directed the Sindh IGP and investigating officials to ensure robust prosecution of the case.

The investigation team must pursue the case effectively in court. The murder weapon must be recovered immediately, and scientific evidence consolidated to ensure a foolproof prosecution. The Sindh government will personally oversee the case to ensure justice for the innocent children and the bereaved family.

The brutal perpetrator must receive an exemplary punishment under the law that serves as a deterrent. The CM further said that excellent investigation and swift justice must be ensured in cases involving serious crimes. He directed that operations against criminal elements be made more effective and indiscriminate.