Man shoots wife and two priests dead in ritual row, dies in police encounter in Azamgarh

A man shot and killed his wife and two priests following a dispute over religious rituals in Azamgarh, before dying himself in a subsequent police encounter, authorities said.

The accused, identified as Arvind Singh, opened fire on the two priests and his wife before retreating into his house, taking three children with him and creating a hostage situation that drew a significant police response.

Officers moved in to resolve the standoff, during which Singh was killed in the encounter. The three children were recovered safely. Police have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killings and the events that led to the fatal confrontation.