Afghan refugee woman allegedly gang-raped

Initial medical report confirms assault, five suspects arrested

HARIPUR:

A married woman was allegedly gang-raped by five men in Khalabat Township in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Haripur district.

According to Khalabat Township police, the victim is an Afghan national, and the initial medical report has confirmed the gang-rape.

The 21-year-old Afghan refugee told police that her husband is abroad and she lives in a rented house in New Abadi, Sector 3 of Khalabat Township. She also holds a valid Pakistani visa.

Khalabat Township SHO, Inspector Siddiq Shah, citing the victim's statement, said that on Thursday evening, she was walking to Afghan Camp No. 16 to meet her relatives when a young man suddenly overpowered her and dragged her into a maize field.

There, he introduced himself as Bacha and allegedly raped her.

The woman said that as she was preparing to leave, four more men, already present nearby, also arrived and allegedly raped her one by one. She added that when she resisted, one of the attackers slapped and punched her, causing injuries to her face and lips.

The victim has identified all five alleged assailants, who are Afghan refugees.

According to SHO Siddiq Shah, the preliminary medical report prepared at the Trauma Centre Haripur has confirmed the assault, while the detailed forensic report is awaited.

He said that the suspects have been arrested, and a case has been registered against them under Section 375-A of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The SHO added that the arrested suspects were produced before the area magistrate on Saturday, and police obtained a three-day physical remand.