BARAMULLA: A minor girl was allegedly abducted and later raped by a 30 year old man in Palhalan area of North Kashmir’s Pattan town. The accused along with his associates are absconding while police said that a manhunt has been launched to nab the culprits.

Residents of Shalapora Palhalan told a local news gathering agency that a ‘lunatic’ namely Abdul Rouf Bhat resident of Raipora Palhalan with the help of his associates who hail from South Kashmir allegedly abducted and raped a 13 years old girl. The girl was referred to Sub District Hospital Pattan for medical examination where doctors confirmed rape.

A police official told that doctors have confirmed the rape and they are looking for the accused, who are still at large. “The accused Rouf Bhat has went underground. We are trying to ascertain the identity of his associates who hail from South Kashmir,” police official said adding that they have already started a manhunt to nab the accused.

Residents of Shalapora while demanding stern action against the accused told that they don’t want to take law in their own hands. “We approached Station House Officer Pattan who assured us that accused will be arrested within a day. We hope, that this time the accused Rouf Bhat will be arrested,” they said adding that the accused in past molested a girl but that time he was let go under political pressure. (CNS)