The body of a nine-year-old child was found from a tributary near his house in Mardan a day after he went missing as police sources say there were torture marks around his neck, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday.

Ismail – a resident of Purana Mela – was a primary school student, studying in class III. Police were informed about the missing child yesterday after which they had registered an FIR (first information report).

The tragic incident occurred near Katlang – a town located 19 kilometres north of Mardan – as the bereaved parents are unable to tackle the shocking revelation that their child has been killed.

Mumtaz – the victim’s father – said they did not have any enmity or fight with anyone, as the motives behind this heinous crime could not be ascertained yet.

In this situation, the entire area is trying to grapple with the news with locals demanding immediate arrest of the culprits.

With the body first shifted to Katlang’s Tehsil Headquarters Hospital and later to the Mardan Medical Complex, the sources in police say although torture marks were found on his neck, it will be too early to suggest whether he was also subjected to sexual assault.