PURNEA, Dec. 11 -- The two children, aged between three and five years, were hammered to death while another one-year-old child was seriously injured, allegedly by their cousin Arbaz (20) and his friend Hasnain (22), in Purnea on Tuesday evening. The brutal assault was reportedly carried out under the influence of drugs, as both accused are believed to be habitual drug users.

According to police, Arbaz was stopped from consuming drugs by his uncle - the father of the victims. Enraged, he allegedly attacked the children with the handle of a hand pump, killing two on the spot and leaving the youngest critically injured. Locals said drug abuse has spiralled in the region, warning that more such incidents may follow.

This is not the first i...