By Urdu Report Editorial Team
Haripur: The body of five-year-old Ayat Noor, who had been missing from Haripur for 15 days, has been recovered from a deep, dry well. Police have arrested four suspects in connection with the girl’s disappearance and death, including one who is reportedly underage.
How child was missing?
According to police, Ayat Noor went outside to play on the evening of August 10 but did not return home. Her family immediately began searching for her, and a missing person case was registered at the police station on the complaint of her father, Muhammad Shafiq.
Police and other relevant authorities conducted extensive search operations in different areas to locate the missing child. Teams searched drains, sewerage areas, vacant plots, thick bushes, deserted locations and areas around the University of Haripur.
Police investigation
During the investigation, police obtained footage from around 200 CCTV cameras and examined it. Records of 20 suspicious mobile phone numbers were also reviewed. Police said footage from 12 cameras provided important clues about Ayat Noor leaving her home and the individuals who allegedly took her away.
According to police, one suspect was arrested on August 21 and two more were arrested on August 22. As the investigation progressed, another suspect was taken into custody. Police also recovered the motorcycle allegedly used in the incident.
Police said the body of Ayat Noor was recovered on August 24 from a deep, dry well near University Road after one of the arrested suspects identified the location. The well was reportedly concealed among bushes.
investigators faced difficulties
According to the district police, investigators faced difficulties because some of the suspects were underage and did not have mobile SIM cards registered in their own names. The police technical team used data linked to their family members and other suspicious numbers to advance the investigation.
Police said one arrested suspect allegedly confessed during questioning to the abduction and sexual assault of the child. However, authorities are awaiting post-mortem and DNA reports to establish the facts and determine the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death.
آیت نور کی نعش برآمد والد نے نعش کی شناخت کر لی ہے بچی کی نعش دیکھ کر والد صدمہ سے دوچار حالت ناقابل برداشت ہو گئ. ڈی ایس پی تنویر احمد اور ایس ایچ او شہریار خان اس کو تسلی دیتے ہوئے۔
یہ نظام اپنے شہریوں کو تحفظ دینے میں بری طرح ناکام pic.twitter.com/53L66eqgz7
— Mona.ⁱᴾⁱᵃⁿ (@Monashezadi) August 25, 2026
Murder and abduction charges
Police have added charges relating to murder, abduction of a minor and sexual assault to the case. The suspects have been presented before the court and legal proceedings are underway.
Ayat Noor’s father, Muhammad Shafiq, expressed deep grief over the death of his only daughter and demanded strict punishment for those responsible. He said that he had no personal enmity with anyone and could not understand why his innocent daughter had been targeted.
Ayat Noor’s funeral prayer has been offered, with a large number of local residents attending. Public protests had also been held in Haripur over the girl’s disappearance and the delay in finding her.
The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has expressed grief over the incident and assured that those responsible would be given the strictest punishment under the law.
