Jacobabad village set on fire following dispute over love marriage

Updated: 2:50 AM PKT — May 20, 2026

The number of suspects arrested has reached ten, as authorities confirmed a government primary school was also set on fire in the attack that destroyed over 120 homes. Following a visit by the Deputy Commissioner, aid including tents and rations is now being provided to the displaced families. Police raids are ongoing to apprehend the remaining culprits.

Updated: 9:03 PM PKT — May 19, 2026

Authorities have completed a survey of the village torched in a marriage dispute in Jacobabad, confirming that 121 houses were affected by the arson attack, Deputy Commissioner Shehzad Ahmed Sahi announced. Police have arrested six of the 32 suspects named in the case and are conducting raids to apprehend the remaining individuals involved in the May 5 incident.

A relief effort for the displaced families is underway. The deputy commissioner stated that affected households are being provided with tents, mosquito nets, charpoys, and other essential items. He assured that rations would be supplied until the families are fully rehabilitated and added that a formal recommendation for financial compensation will be sent to the Sindh government.

The attack in the village of Muhammad Siddique Arain, which also destroyed a local primary school, is believed to be the result of a tribal feud targeting the Buriro community over a “love marriage.” An Anti-Terrorism Court in Jacobabad has remanded four of the arrested suspects into police custody for six days as a special investigation team, headed by the DSP of Thull, works to ensure a transparent inquiry.

The situation in the area remains highly volatile, prompting police to establish permanent security pickets to prevent further bloodshed. Meanwhile, the father of the bride, Rafiq Channa, has publicly denied his community’s involvement, telling media, “Our daughters were taken, and the case was also filed against us.”

Updated: 8:03 PM PKT — May 19, 2026

Authorities have arrested four more suspects in connection with the arson attack, which also destroyed a local primary school. The Deputy Commissioner confirmed 111 houses were affected and stated that ration and other aid are now being provided to the displaced families.

Updated: 7:21 PM PKT — May 19, 2026

Four more suspects have been arrested, bringing the total number of individuals in custody to six. Meanwhile, SSP Jacobabad visited the affected village, where he met with victims’ families and assured them that all perpetrators would be brought to justice.

Updated: 9:35 AM PKT — May 19, 2026

Updated reports on the attack’s aftermath now place the number of homes torched at more than 150. This figure represents a significant increase from initial estimates of the destruction.

Updated: 2:40 AM PKT — May 19, 2026

The arson attack destroyed over 100 houses, leaving numerous families homeless and living in the open after losing all their possessions, including a dowry saved by one family for their daughter. As the local administration assesses the damage, affected residents are awaiting government assistance.

Updated: 11:28 PM PKT — May 18, 2026

In a related incident in Mirpur Khas, a groom’s village was reportedly attacked by members of the bride’s tribe, who also allegedly abducted three young women in retaliation. The violence is part of a broader tribal feud in rural Sindh triggered by a love marriage.

Updated: 10:17 PM PKT — May 18, 2026

The attack was allegedly carried out by members of the bride’s community, who set fire to the groom’s village. An anti-terrorism court in Shikarpur has remanded the arrested individuals into police custody.

Updated: 7:34 PM PKT — May 18, 2026

Police have arrested another suspect, bringing the total number of arrests to six, with all individuals remanded into police custody. A court has summoned tribal chiefs from the two involved communities for a hearing on May 20. The blaze has left numerous families displaced, many of whom are now taking refuge with relatives or living near their destroyed homes.

Updated: 9:45 AM PKT — May 18, 2026

The woman’s family now claims she is 14, was abducted, and has accused the groom’s family of starting the fire. The bride states she is 20, as video emerged showing a police mobile at the scene. The newly-wed couple has since appealed to authorities for protection.

Updated: 9:16 AM PKT — May 18, 2026

Video footage of the incident has surfaced, showing assailants setting fire to property. While residents have accused a local feudal lord of leading the attack, the girl’s father has denied any involvement.

Updated: 7:37 AM PKT — May 18, 2026

A tribal leader and hundreds of armed followers allegedly carried out the attack in Jacobabad’s Thul tehsil. The girl’s father has since complicated the dispute by claiming she is a minor, directly contradicting her own assertion that she is an adult who married of her own free will.

Updated: 5:37 AM PKT — May 18, 2026

The attack was allegedly in retaliation for the couple’s decision to have a court marriage. Victims claim police at the scene did not intervene to stop the attackers. Authorities have since made three arrests in the case.

Updated: 4:44 AM PKT — May 18, 2026

The attack reportedly destroyed residents’ life savings, and a local school was also set on fire. Police have since registered a formal case in connection with the incident.

Updated: 11:00 PM PKT — May 17, 2026

Videos of the incident have surfaced showing dozens of armed assailants carrying out the attack, reportedly in the presence of police. The bride herself has now stated that she is 20 and married of her own free will. Following this, the Sindh Chief Minister has ordered strict action against the perpetrators and directed immediate assistance for the victims.

Updated: 10:39 PM PKT — May 17, 2026

The incident occurred in Tehsil Thul, where an armed group of 400-500 men, allegedly led by a local chieftain, torched over 150 houses. The girl’s father is now alleging his daughter was kidnapped. The total number of arrests in the case has since risen to seven.

Updated: 9:02 PM PKT — May 17, 2026

The dispute stems from conflicting claims over the bride’s age, with her family alleging she is a 14-year-old minor. The groom’s family, however, insists she is an adult of 20 who willingly entered into a court marriage. The village targeted in the subsequent arson attack was reportedly that of the groom.

Updated: 8:22 PM PKT — May 17, 2026

The woman at the center of the dispute, 20, has stated she married of her own free will as videos emerged showing armed men torching properties. Police have since registered a case against 12 named and 20 unnamed suspects, arresting three individuals so far. Conflicting video statements have also been released by two local tribal chiefs, each accusing the other of orchestrating the attack.

Updated: 7:44 PM PKT — May 17, 2026

Victims now allege that hundreds of armed men were involved in the attack, setting fire to approximately 150 homes. The affected families, who are now displaced, also claim the assault occurred in the presence of police who failed to intervene.

Updated: 7:04 PM PKT — May 17, 2026

The dispute reportedly erupted over the couple’s decision to have a court marriage, with armed assailants allegedly carrying out the attack. The groom’s father has questioned why the entire community is being punished for his son’s personal decision. Victims of the attack are now demanding justice.

Updated: 4:17 PM PKT — May 17, 2026

Police have registered a case against multiple individuals and arrested three suspects in the Thul tehsil arson. The groom’s father has accused local chieftains of the attack and of burning down a school, while the bride’s father alleges the groom’s family attacked their village and abducted two women. Video footage of the incident and a purported confession from one of the chieftains have circulated as affected villagers are now homeless in the severe heat.