PESHAWAR: A five-year-old girl was allegedly raped and then strangled to death Friday in Nowshera's Ashoor Abad area, police said Monday.

The girl left home to collect ice from her neighbours but did not return after an hour had passed, her father told DawnNews.

"We searched for her all night and also made public announcements. Eventually we found her body dumped in debris near our residence," he said, alleging that his daughter had been raped.

The girl's clothes were torn and her leg broken. Spots of blood were also found on her body, he said.

A medical examination was conducted on the victim's body but a report is yet to be released, police said.

Deputy Superintendent Police Pabbi Adnan Azam said that a First-Information Report had been registered in the Azakhel police station against unknown culprits, adding that the alleged rapists would be punished.

"The Deputy Inspector General Mardan has taken an interest in the case and a special investigation team has been launched to find the culprits as soon as possible and punish them," he said.

The victim's family demanded justice and called for stern punishments against the offenders.