Police in Lahore said on Friday that the bodies of three young siblings, allegedly killed by their mother in the Ichhra area, had been handed over to their family after postmortem examination and transported to their native town of Jhang for burial.

Funeral prayers for the children are expected to be held in Jhang before their burial, police said.

The case emerged on Thursday when the children were found dead inside a flat in Lahore’s Shah Jamal area, with their throats slit. Rescue teams responded to reports of the incident and transferred the bodies to the police, who launched an investigation.

Police initially said the apartment had been locked, and signs at the scene suggested possible tampering. A sharp instrument believed to have been used in the killings was recovered, and forensic teams were dispatched to gather evidence. Early inquiries had also focused on relatives, including an uncle who was taken into custody.

However, investigators later arrested the children’s mother, identified as Rida, in connection with the killings. Police now say initial findings indicate she was responsible, though the motive remains unclear.

“Further investigation is underway to determine the circumstances and reasons behind the incident,” a police official said, adding that Rida would be presented in a local court for physical remand to advance the probe.

Additional CCTV footage that surfaced during the investigation allegedly shows the suspect leaving the residence and entering the street after the incident.

Police said preliminary evidence suggests she may have attempted to alter the crime scene to mislead investigators and later returned to the neighbourhood, where she contacted emergency services.

Authorities said they are reviewing more surveillance footage and forensic evidence as part of a multi-angle investigation.