ISLAMABAD, Dec 4: Three children were burnt alive in their house in a village on the Margalla Hills Monday night, police said.

Mohammad Ikhlaq and his wife, residents of Gogina Talhar, had gone to see a relative in the same village leaving behind their three children when the house caught fire.

The victims were identified as Aqeel, Ateeq and Naila, all aged below 10 years.

Police said before going out, the couple had burnt coal fire in the house.

As houses are located at long distances from each other in the hilly village, the flames could not be spotted by the residents till it engulfed the house.

Some villagers then rushed to the spot and tried to put out the flames. In the meantime, the parents of the children also came back and tried to rescue their children but without success.

They also sustained injuries in the fire. Due to the difficult terrain which is covered on foot, it took hours for the police and other rescuers to reach the house.—Staff Reporter