A woman accused of killing her three young children was remanded in police custody for five days by a Lahore court on Friday, as investigators continued to probe the case that shocked the local community.

The accused, Rida Fatima, was presented before Judicial Magistrate Irshad Hussain Sabzwari at the Model Town Court under tight security. The court approved a five-day physical remand at the request of police, who had sought 14 days to carry out further investigation.

Police told the court that DNA, polygraph and medical tests of the accused were necessary. The investigation officer said the remand was required to complete inquiries and clarify all aspects of the incident.

The case related to the murder of three children in Lahore’s Ichhra area includes a five-year-old, a four-year-old and a one-and-a-half-year-old whose deaths had left the neighbourhood in mourning.

Residents described the incident as deeply disturbing, saying they had never witnessed such brutality. The family’s home had stood silent, with the children’s belongings still visible, including clothes left hanging on the balcony.

According to neighbours, the children’s father, Ramzan, had been outside the house at the time of the incident, while the mother had been inside. They said a scream had been heard before the father rushed back, followed by others from the neighbourhood.

Police had registered a case against the mother and, after postmortem examinations, handed over the bodies to the heirs. The children had been transported to their native town of Jhang, where funeral prayers were expected to be held before burial.

Investigators said initial findings had indicated the accused was responsible for the killings, though motives and other aspects remained under investigation.

Separately, police said additional CCTV footage had emerged showing the accused leaving the house and entering the street after the incident. Authorities alleged she had attempted to alter the crime scene and mislead investigators. According to sources, she later returned and called emergency services along with local residents.