Mardan Police on Sunday arrested seven more suspects in connection with the lynching of Mashal Khan, a 23-year-old student who was attacked by a vigilante mob after being accused of blasphemy earlier this week, police officials said.

The number of suspects arrested in connection with the tragic incident has increased to 22, police added.

Three amongst the seven suspects arrested were identified with the help of CCTV cameras, police officials said.

After being arrested, the suspects were presented before an Anti-Terrorism Court, police said. They were handed over to the police on physical remand for one day.

Earlier today, Inspector General Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Salahuddin Khan Mehsud presided over a meeting regarding the incident at the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Office in Mardan, a press release issued by the police said.

DIGP Mardan Mohammad Alam Shinwari told the meeting that investigation into the incident was progressing at a fast pace, the statement added.

The DIG briefed present officers regarding Khan's death, police said.

"Several of the nominated suspects have been arrested," the statement quoted the DIG as saying.

The IGP Mehsud appreciated the performance of the police, and said that the investigation is moving in the right direction, the statement read.

He advised the police to arrest the remaining suspects and proceed with the investigation with transparency and neutrality, according to the press release.

The meeting was attended by District Police Officer Dr Mian Saeed Ahmed, SP investigation and officials of the CTD.