Suspects arrested over child's brutal murder at madrassa in northwestern Pakistan

Police have arrested the main suspects in the brutal killing of a young boy at a religious seminary in Pakistan’s northwest, officials said Monday. The child was allegedly beaten to death after resisting a sexual assault attempt at a seminary in Swat’s Khwazakhela area on July 21, they said.

Muhammad Umar Khan, the District Police Officer (DPO), confirmed the arrest of the seminary administrator, Muhammad Umar, and his son, Ehsanullah.

“They were the prime suspects and had been on the run since the day of the incident,” Khan told Nukta.

The DPO said a total of 12 suspects had been arrested, including another of Umar’s sons, Abdullah, and several teachers.

Two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered, one for murder and physical assault, and another under the Child Protection Act.

“The accused were produced before a judicial magistrate, who granted a three-day physical remand for further investigation,” Khan added.

Aziz Khan, station house officer (SHO) of Khwazakhela, told Nukta that the case followed an earlier complaint of child abuse.

“Ehsanullah had attempted to sexually assault a student, but the boy resisted and told his uncle,” the SHO said. “That initial complaint appears to have triggered the violent retaliation, resulting in the boy being brutally beaten to death.”

Khan said the police investigation is ongoing. Due to safety concerns, more than 150 students enrolled at the seminary were returned to their families, and the facility was sealed the same day.

The victim’s father said his son had previously complained to an uncle about inappropriate advances by a teacher.

The family initially dismissed the complaint, assuming the boy was making excuses to avoid going back to the seminary.

Speaking to Nukta, the boy’s uncle said the child had stayed home for four days before he took him back to the seminary.

“Just three hours after I returned home, I received a call from the police informing me that my nephew had died,” he said.

The uncle recalled that his nephew had memorized 10 paras (chapters) of the Quran and had been living at the seminary full-time.

“He didn’t want to go back this time,” the uncle said. “But I convinced him, assuring him that I had spoken to the teachers and they had promised not to beat him. Only then did he agree to return.”

According to eyewitnesses, the beating began shortly after the uncle left. They said the teachers, including Muhammad Umar, Ehsanullah, and Abdullah, struck the boy with sticks and a rubber pipe, causing his death.