3-year-old girl's genitals severely damaged after allegedly being raped by teenage neighbour

A three-year-old girl in Pakistan is in a critical condition in a hospital after being allegedly raped by a neighbour. Doctors have reportedly said her genitals are severely damaged and could lead to further medical complications in future.

The incident took place on Tuesday (22 August) in Jhang district in Pakistan's Punjab province. The accused, Muhammad Akram, 15, has been arrested and is being held under a seven-day remand.

The victim's father told police in his complaint that his daughter was lured away by Akram while she was playing outside the house on Tuesday evening. He offered her sweets and took her to a farm where he sexually assaulted the girl.

Her screams alerted villagers who rushed to the spot and saw Akram fleeing. The victim was immediately rushed to the Jhang district hospital.

"I cannot imagine that someone could commit such a horrible crime," the girl's father told The Express Tribune newspaper.

Umar Hayat Watto, a police official, told the paper that the girl underwent a minor surgery and was currently under observation at the hospital.

Doctors, meanwhile, said that the assault left the girl's genitals badly damaged and she may suffer health complications later in life.

Police told the paper that the accused has admitted to the crime, but they have sent his samples for forensic tests for confirmation.