Landi Kotal children’s deaths: Laboratory report detects poison, investigation takes new turn

The investigation into the mysterious deaths of five children belonging to the same family in Qaziano Kalay, Bazar Zakha Khel

LAHORE/LANDI KOTAL:  The investigation into the mysterious deaths of five children belonging to the same family in Qaziano Kalay, Bazar Zakha Khel, Tehsil Landi Kotal, District Khyber, has taken a significant turn after laboratory findings indicated the presence of poison in an affected child’s stomach.

According to the latest information shared on November 12, District Health Officer (DHO) Khyber Dr. Rafiq Hayat confirmed that blood and urine samples collected from an affected child, identified as Hania, were sent to a laboratory in Peshawar for examination. The laboratory report has now been received, revealing evidence of poisoning.

The finding has emerged as a major development in the ongoing investigation, raising serious questions about the circumstances surrounding the sudden illness and deaths of the children. Authorities are now examining the possibility of poisoning or food contamination as the cause of the tragedy.

Earlier medical examinations had shown normal levels of calcium, magnesium, prothrombin time (PT) and international normalised ratio (INR). Hania’s haemoglobin level was recorded at 11.7, while her platelet count stood at 634.

Details of the Landi Kotal Incident

The incident occurred between November 7 and 10 in Qaziano Kalay, where seven children from the family of Maulana Shah Ji Gul reportedly fell unconscious after developing severe symptoms.

Five children, including three girls and two boys, all under the age of five, subsequently died. The remaining two children, identified as one-year-old Salman and Sanan, were shifted to Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), Peshawar, for treatment. Their condition has reportedly stabilised.

The affected children initially experienced high fever, convulsions, unconsciousness, weakness and watery discharge from their mouths and noses.

Following directions from Deputy Commissioner Khyber Shahid Ali, Assistant Commissioner Landi Kotal Inaam Wazir visited HMC to review the medical treatment being provided to the surviving children.

The Health Department has recommended additional investigations, including toxicological screening, blood culture and a CT scan of the brain, to establish the exact cause of the illness.

Similar Food Poisoning Incident Reported in Bajaur

Meanwhile, another suspected food poisoning incident has been reported from Banda Gut Qazafi in Utmankhel Tehsil, District Bajaur.

Initial reports suggested that a lizard accidentally fell into curry prepared for a family meal, resulting in suspected food contamination. The deceased were initially identified as 12-year-old Aleesha and five-year-old Pakeeza, while subsequent reports indicated that the death toll had increased to five.

Seven people, including the parents, were reportedly shifted to Peshawar in critical condition.

On the instructions of Deputy Commissioner Bajaur Shahid Ali, the Health Department’s Outbreak Response Team visited the affected locality to investigate the incident. Police officials said the final cause of the deaths would be determined after receiving the forensic examination report.

Similar Tragedy in Chunian

A separate incident was also reported on November 5 from the Mehmood Khanike area of Chunian, District Kasur, where five members of a family reportedly died after a lizard fell into a dish of kheer. Police are awaiting forensic findings to establish the cause.

Diphtheria Deaths Raise Additional Health Concerns

Separately, reports emerged during the same week that five children had died from diphtheria at Children’s Hospital Lahore within one month. The development has renewed concerns about serious childhood illnesses, particularly given that the hospital also reported 14 diphtheria-related deaths in 2015.

As of November 12, the Landi Kotal investigation is increasingly focusing on suspected poisoning following the laboratory findings. Police and health authorities are pursuing further examinations to determine the source of the poison and establish the circumstances behind the children’s deaths. Meanwhile, two surviving children remain under medical observation at Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar.