Overview
- Inayat, 5, and Gulnaz, 3, were killed, and their sister Kulsoom, about 1½, is in critical condition at GMCH Purnea, according to police.
- Police arrested Mohammad Arbaz (also reported as Arbaaz) Alam, 22, a cousin of the children, and Mohammad Hasnain, 24, after the late-night assault inside the victims’ home.
- An FIR citing murder, attempt to murder, and criminal conspiracy has been registered, and police told IANS the accused confessed during interrogation and would be produced in district court on Wednesday.
- Accounts differ on the weapon: Hindustan Times reports a hand-pump handle, while IANS says police recovered an iron bar believed to be used in the attack.
- Authorities sent the bodies for post-mortem at Sadar Hospital, deployed additional forces in the village, and said SDPO Jitendra Pandey is overseeing the investigation on site.