Suspect’s DNA matches sample in Asma rape-murder case

LAHORE/PESHAWAR: In the latest development in the ongoing investigation into the rape and murder of four-year-old Asma, DNA sample from one of the suspects has been found to match the remains collected from the body of the minor girl.

According to reports, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government had sent the DNA samples of 145 people to the Punjab Forensics Laboratory for testing. One of these people’s DNA sample has matched the DNA remains from the deceased minor.

The name of the suspect in question has not been announced by the authorities yet, for fear that he may flee the country.

Following the DNA match, the Punjab government has contacted KP authorities regarding the matter.

KP Education Minister Atif Khan confirmed the development and said that the authorities in Punjab had contacted KP IG Salahuddin Khan Mehsud over telephone in connection with the DNA test. He, however, said that the KP government has not yet received any written report in this regard.

Subsequently, KP police arrested three suspects from the Gojar Ghari area, from where the victim’s body was recovered. Police said that they believe that the prime suspect, one of the three arrested, is a close relative of the victim.

The four-year-old went missing from the Gujjar Garhi area on January 13 and was found dead in a sugarcane field the next day at 3pm after search efforts by the police and family. The police joined the family’s search after being informed of the incident at 9pm on January 13.

After the body was found, an FIR [First Information Report] was registered and Mardan RPO and DPO visited Aasma’s family on January 14 to personally record details of the incident.

The IG said that an investigation team headed by the Mardan DPO was formed to probe into the case, and help from the counter-terrorism department was also utilised

The girl’s murder had sparked outrage in the province as well as the country. The Supreme Court has also taken notice of the murder. Police had announced a Rs500,000 reward for anyone providing information in the rape and murder case or for aiding in the arrest of the suspect.

Earlier, a private media outlet reported that in a bid to catch the rapist and murderer of the girl, police had said that DNA samples of 243 suspects were being cross-matched with those recovered from the body of the deceased girl.