5-year-old girl in Haripur was raped, reveals post-mortem report

The five-year-old girl, who went missing from outside her home in Haripur on Aug 10, was raped before her death, according to her post-mortem report.

The child’s body was recovered on Aug 24 from an abandoned well at a warehouse roughly a furlong from her home. Police found the body after one of the four suspects arrested in the case allegedly led investigators to the location.

The autopsy report confirmed sexual assault. Dr Munawar Afridi, who was part of the medical team that examined the body, said samples had been collected for DNA and other forensic tests and handed over to police.

The fourth suspect was presented before a magistrate on Thursday and subsequently sent to judicial remand, police said.

An investigator said the suspect allegedly persuaded the child to accompany him by telling her that her father was nearby and wanted to see her.

Police are also examining whether terrorism charges can be added to the case. District Police Officer Shafiullah Gandapur said he had sought a panel of prosecutors to assess the matter.

According to the DPO, all four suspects are juveniles, making it necessary for investigators to follow the applicable legal provisions. The investigation into the child’s disappearance, assault and death remains ongoing.