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.

Earlier on Thursday, the case had initially come to light when the bodies of the children were discovered inside a locked flat in a plaza in Lahore’s Shah Jamal area. Police said a sharp instrument had been recovered from the scene and noted signs that evidence may have been tampered with.

A special investigation team had been formed, and forensic experts had continued to collect and review evidence from multiple angles.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had expressed grief over the killings and ordered authorities to submit an immediate report. She had directed police to ensure swift arrests and said those responsible would face strict legal action.

“The brutal murder of children is extremely painful,” she had said, offering condolences to the bereaved family.