The body of five-year-old Ayat Noor, who went missing from Haripur around two weeks ago, has been handed over to her family following a post-mortem examination, according to reports.
Ayat disappeared 15 days ago from Pathan Colony after leaving her home to play. Her father subsequently approached police, who registered a kidnapping case and launched an investigation.
Her body was recovered on Monday from a well inside a warehouse on University Road after information obtained during the investigation led police to the location.
Police shifted the body to hospital for a post-mortem and other medical examinations to establish the exact cause of death and investigate allegations of abuse.
Investigators used CCTV footage to identify five suspects allegedly linked to Ayat’s abduction, three of whom have been arrested. Police are continuing efforts to apprehend the remaining two suspects.
According to police, the arrested suspects confessed to abusing the child and later disposing of her body.
After the post-mortem, Ayat’s body was handed over to her relatives. Family members and local residents subsequently placed her body on GT Road and staged a protest, demanding justice and action against those responsible.