“In Peshawar city, in the month of July on three Sundays, small girls were targeted out of which two have died and one is alive thankfully,” said the chief of police, Moazzam Jah Ansari on Thursday.

The latest incident took place about ten days ago in Kalabari area. Prior to that one attack happened in Railway Colony and one in Gulberg. All of these areas are located within a radius of five kilometres.

The suspect has been identified as Sohail, a resident of Peshawar, who used to do zari or beadwork. His age is between 20 to 25 years. The IG said that hours of CCTV footage were reviewed to arrest the accused.

His last suspected attack took place on July 17.

The incidents spread a wave of fear in the area with local residents unwilling to allow children out of the house alone.