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Suspect Arrested for Assault, Attempted Murder of 8-Year-Old in Mansehra
Mansehra police arrest suspect for assault & attempted murder of 8-year-old girl. Victim identified the accused after surviving the attack. FIR includes charges under PPC & Child Protection Act.
ND
by News Desk
2025-03-25
Suspect Arrested for Assault, Attempted Murder of 8-Year-Old in Mansehra

Police on Tuesday claimed to have arrested a suspect involved in the assault and attempted murder of an eight-year-old girl in Mansehra’s Battal area.

Battal Station House Officer (SHO) Shujat Hussain told Dawn.com that the victim had gone missing on March 19. Her father reported her disappearance, prompting a search operation.

“We found her injured and unconscious the next day — March 20 — at a location where she had been dumped under rocks,” the officer said.

The girl remained unconscious for four days before regaining consciousness at the hospital. Upon identifying the suspect, the police launched an investigation, which led to his arrest.

Crime Details and Investigation

According to the victim’s statement, the suspect lured her with snacks and took her to the mountains. When she screamed during the assault attempt, he pushed her off a cliff and left her for dead under rocks.

“The girl miraculously survived, and her testimony led us to the accused,” SHO Hussain added.

Upon arrest, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime in his initial statement.

Legal Action and Charges

Following consultations with a public prosecutor, police added stringent charges against the accused. The FIR includes sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and the Child Protection and Welfare Act (CPWA):

  • Section 376 – Punishment for rape
  • Section 511 – Attempting to commit offences punishable with life imprisonment
  • Section 365 – Kidnapping/abduction
  • Section 337 – Intentionally causing hurt
  • Section 53 & 37 (CPWA) – Child sexual abuse

Rising Child Abuse Cases in Pakistan

This horrific case comes amid rising incidents of child abuse in Pakistan. Just last week, a 14-year-old eighth-grader was found dead on campus in Mansehra, triggering a police investigation.

Despite strict anti-rape laws, including the death penalty or long-term imprisonment (10-25 years), child abuse remains a serious issue.

A report by Sahil, a child rights NGO, recorded 1,630 cases of child abuse across Pakistan in the last six months of 2024, including:

  • 862 cases of child sexual abuse
  • 668 cases of abduction
  • 82 cases of missing children
  • 18 cases of child marriages
  • 48 cases of child pornography after sexual abuse

Call for Stronger Protection Measures

Authorities and activists continue to demand stricter enforcement of child protection laws to curb such crimes. The latest arrest in Mansehra highlights the urgent need for increased vigilance, education, and stricter penalties to ensure children’s safety.
Tagged:

ChildProtection

Mansehra

JusticeForChildren

EndChildAbuse
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