MANSEHRA: A four-year-old girl was assaulted in Pakhwal area here on Monday evening.

“I have directed the district police officer to ensure immediate arrest of the accused and take him to justice as the victim’s family and the local community members are highly perturbed at the incident,” MPA Babar Saleem Swati told the people assembled at the King Abdullah Teaching Hospital after the incident.

The accused, 28, according to the victim’s family, had taken the girl to a deserted place near her house on the Major Ayub Road, and after assaulting her managed to flee.

Later, the locals spotted the girl bleeding and informed the police, which shifted her to hospital.

She was later referred to Ayub Medical Complex Hospital in Abbottabad in critical condition.

According to police sources, the medical examination of the victim had confirmed the sexual assault.

A police party raided the residence of the accused in Blug Pain area, but his family members and the locals put up resistance, enabling the alleged assaulter to escape.

Later, another police party led by the district police officer rushed to the scene and started a search operation, but to no avail.

MPA Swati consoled the victim’s family and assured the enraged people that the accused would shortly be arrested.

The victim’s family members and locals demanded of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, the police chief and DIG Hazara to ensure early arrest of the accused.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2020