Wife's 'milk murder plot' accidentally kills 15 in Pakistan

A woman who allegedly tried to kill her husband by giving him poisoned milk ended up killing him and 14 members of his family, police in Pakistan have said.

Officers in Punjab province said Asiya Bibi's husband initially failed to drink the milk and it was then turned into a lassi - a South Asian yogurt drink - and served to the man's family.

Investigators allege Bibi set out to poison her husband after she was forced by her family into an arranged marriage in September.

Bibi has been charged with murder along with two others, senior police official Owais Ahmad told reporters.

The Geo News website said 15 have so far died, including Bibi's husband and a seven-year-old girl, while a further 12 are being treated in hospital after the incident in rural Alipur Tehsil.

Mr Ahmad added: "Police have arrested Asiya Bibi, a man and his aunt for being accomplices and charged them with murder."

He said the man was allegedly Bibi's lover and his aunt helped orchestrate the murder plot.

Bibi has appeared in court and denied all the allegations against her when presented to the media, Geo News reported.

Forced and under-age marriages are common in Pakistan, particularly in rural and poor regions, where women are regarded as having fewer rights.