The boy has been identified as 12-year-old Hashim who lived in Jageer. The area falls withing the jurisdiction of the Garhi Habibullah police station.

Hashim’s father says that the boy was taken away to the police station two days ago where he was handed over to two men.

The men allegedly beat Hashim to death.

Locals said that there were burn marks on Hashim’s body from an electric iron and his nails had been pulled with pliers. They also claimed police had tried to pass of his death as a suicide.

Balakot DSP Saeed Jadoon said that an FIR had been registered by the boy’s mother and police had immediately arrested the two suspects. He also said that three police officials had been suspended for ‘negligence’.

Jadoon also confirmed that post-mortem examination had shown signs of torture on the boy’s body.

The boy’s parents as well as the residents of the area have demanded that the circumstances of Hashim;s death be revealed to the public and those responsible be punished.