Suspect escapes mob after child assault

Victim's relatives and locals intercept and severely beat the accused

RAWALPINDI:

A man allegedly abducted a 12-year-old girl in the Sulemanabad neighbourhood within the jurisdiction of Westridge police station and allegedly sexually assaulted her before attempting to leave the area with her on Friday.

The suspect was intercepted by the girl's relatives and local residents, who severely beat him and repeatedly threw him to the ground. However, he managed to escape before police arrived at the scene.

Police registered a case and launched a search for the suspect. A video showing the girl's relatives and local residents beating the alleged suspect has also surfaced.

According to the footage, the girl's relatives and residents caught the alleged suspect and severely assaulted him in anger. The video also shows people throwing him to the ground, while some individuals can be heard asking others to stop further violence.

The suspect reportedly took advantage of the gathering and escaped before police reached the scene.

Taking serious notice of the incident, Rawalpindi Regional Police Officer (RPO) Babar Sarfraz Alpa directed police officers to reach the scene, supervise the investigation and ensure the suspect's arrest.

Police registered a case on the complaint of the girl's father, Gulfraz.

According to the complainant, he lives in Sulemanabad and works as a labourer. He said his 12-year-old daughter had gone into the street at night to collect firewood but did not return home.

He said that when he returned from work, his wife told him that their daughter was missing. He and other family members searched for her throughout the night but could not find her.