Man in India stabs to death 14 relatives, hangs self

NEW DELHI -- A man in western India stabbed fatally 14 members of his family, including seven children, early Sunday before hanging himself, police said.

Hasnain Warekar, 35, went on his overnight killing spree after a Saturday evening family gathering at his home, said Gajanan Laxman Kabdule, a spokesman for the police in the city of Thane, outside of Mumbai. He said a motive was not known.

Warekar's extended family -- three sisters, their children and his parents -- were among those who apparently had gotten together for dinner, Kabdule said. Warekar's wife and two young daughters also were in the house and were among those killed.

The only survivor of the attack was a sister who was wounded, the officer said, adding she was in a hospital and in "a state of shock."

Kabdule said it appeared Warekar began his stabbing spree between 1 and 2 a.m., after everyone had gone to bed.

The victims' bodies were discovered early Sunday morning.

Kabdule said the reason for the killings was not clear.

The Press Trust of India news agency reported a family dispute over property was behind the attacks.

The bodies were sent to a Thane hospital for autopsies.