RECORDER REPORT

PESHAWAR: A Jirga in Mardan has given an ultimatum of 72 hours to the provincial government to arrest the culprits behind the brutal rape and murder of four-year old girl Asma.

The Jirga warned the government that they would hit the streets if the culprits were not nabbed within 72 hours. Following the ultimatum, the district government of Mardan has summoned All Party Conference (APC) today (Friday).

Earlier, police personnel arrested as many as 20 suspects in the case. The girl’s body was found three days ago after which her medical test was conducted that confirmed rape.

Mardan DPO said that a Joint Investigation Team (JIT), under his supervision, has been formed to probe the case. He said few people have been taken into custody while geo-fencing of the area is also underway.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister KP Pervaiz Khattak visited the bereaved family on Thursday. The minor was allegedly raped then murdered in Mardan. The CM assured the family that all possible help will be extended to them.

Asma went missing on January 13 from the Gujjar Garhi area and was found the next day at 3pm after efforts by the police and the family, KP IG Salahuddin Mehsud said on Wednesday. The body was reportedly found in sugarcane fields. While speaking to media, Mehsud confirmed that the minor girl found dead in Mardan’s Gujar Garhi area was strangled to death, but added that the post-mortem report points towards sexual assault.

“Looks like the culprit’s intention was to sexually assault,” he told media while detailing the incident. The minor’s post-mortem also shows signs of torture, the IG said.