‘Heathens’ Dig Up Teen’s Dead Body, Rapes Corpse; One Suspect Killed

A man in Pakistan's Sindh province who was allegedly part of a group accused of digging up a recently buried 14-year-old girl's corpse and committing sexual acts with it over the weekend was fatally shot by police after he tried to resist arrest, officials said Sunday.

The alleged necrophile was arrested near the town of Gharo in Thatta, but he attempted to escape from custody and started open firing on police, Pakistani newspaper the Dawn reported, citing Thatta senior police superintendent Dr Imran Khan.

Police were then prompted to fatally shoot the man, with authorities recovering a pistol from him following the exchange of fire, according to the outlet.

The man was allegedly part of a group of people who were accused of digging up and raping the corpse of a girl in the village of Maulvi Ashraf Chandio Saturday, an earlier report by the Dawn said. The corpse, which had been buried a day prior to the alleged assault, was later found in a ditch in a nearby jungle with signs of rape.

The girl's body was then reportedly brought over to Thatta Civil Hospital, where an autopsy confirmed the assault.

The victim's parents and relatives believed a "local goon" who was the son of the village landlord must have been involved in the crime. The parents also described the people involved in the incident as "heathens," according to a report by local outlet Geo TV.

The girl's parents claimed that police had allegedly paid no heed and made light of the assault after they reported the incident to authorities, as per the Dawn.

The parents of the deceased man refused to collect his body, according to the outlet. Villagers also refused to have him buried in the village graveyard, but it was later handed over to the Edhi Foundation's ambulance service, police said.

Khan allegedly suggested carrying out DNA tests on the bodies of the girl and the man to further ascertain facts.

Sadiq Ali Memon, special assistant to chief minister on empowerment of persons with disabilities, reportedly claimed he would request financial assistance for the heirs of the victim.