ISLAMABAD: A suspect involved in the double child murder case in Hafizabad district drowned after attempting to escape police custody by jumping into a canal.
The tragic incident occurred while the police were transporting the accused to recover evidence linked to the crime.
The two young victims were found dead in a metal trunk inside a house in Kassoki village, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice.
The Escape and Recovery
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Ijaz Ahmed from the Hafizabad Crime Control Department, the suspect was handcuffed when the vehicle slowed near a canal close to Kariala village.
Seizing the moment, the suspect removed one of his handcuffs and fled into nearby bushes. Despite police efforts to stop him, he jumped into the canal and drowned.
His body was recovered shortly after. The police had registered a case against multiple suspects, including two uncles of one of the victims and their accomplices, following the discovery of the boys’ bodies.
Investigation and Child Protection Efforts
The First Information Report (FIR) revealed the suspect confessed to torturing the children with a wooden bat, which he had hidden in his home.
Authorities were en route to retrieve this weapon when the suspect made his escape attempt. The case highlights the growing concern about child abuse in Pakistan.
A report released last month by the NGO Sahil showed that over 3,300 cases of child abuse were reported nationwide in 2024, with boys aged 11-15 being the most vulnerable group.
In response, the Punjab Home Department has launched the “Safe Children, Safe Punjab” campaign aimed at preventing the sexual abuse of minors and raising public awareness about child safety.
