SANGHAR, May 8: An unidentified paedophile has spread panic in the city by kidnapping and criminally assaulting school-going minor girls.

His modus operandi is to pick up a girl from near her school gate in the morning and throw her near her house after subjecting her to criminal assault.

On Saturday, he tried to pick up a girl student of class-IV from near Government Primary School, Panhwar Colony, but failed as her fellow students intervened on her screams and forced him to flee.

Earlier, he picked up a six years old girl student and subjected to criminal assault.

The uncle of the victim told this correspondent that about a week ago his niece had gone missing after leaving home for school.

He said that he, his relatives, neighbours and school teachers mounted a search for the girl and made announcements through mosques' loudspeakers.

In the evening, she was spotted only a few yards away from her house lying unconscious and bleeding, her uncle said and added that they did not report the matter to police due to shame and fear.

Another girl student of Government Primary School, Mithi Khooi, was picked up in the same manner and later found near her house after remaining missing for several hours.