A prayer leader in Chakwal, accused of raping a 10-year-old girl, is now in police custody after a dramatic arrest that left him injured. Authorities say the suspect was wounded when his own pistol discharged as he tried to flee, an incident that has added a bizarre twist to an already disturbing case. Main Developments The arrest occurred on Thursday when a police team from Wanhar station attempted to take the suspect into custody. According to a police official who spoke to Dawn, the man bolted, and in the ensuing chase, he stumbled and fell. A pistol tucked into his waistband fired during the fall, causing injuries that led to his immediate apprehension. Police confirmed the suspect was taken to a medical facility for treatment before formal arrest procedures were completed. The weapon, described as a pistol, was recovered at the scene, though officials have not disclosed additional details about its registration or how it was obtained. Read also: Why Pakistan's Power Sector Overhaul Targets Billing, Not Just Theft The case began on July 28 when the girl's father filed a first information report (FIR) under Section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which addresses rape. The complaint was registered at Wanhar police station, and a copy of the FIR is available with Dawn. Background According to the FIR, the 10-year-old and her five-year-old sister had been attending Quran lessons at a mosque in Munara village, located in tehsil Kallar Kahar. The prayer leader served as their instructor, and the children visited him regularly for religious education. On the day of the alleged assault, the younger girl returned home early, but the elder arrived later in tears. She told her mother that the prayer leader had dismissed the other children, including her sister, but asked her to stay behind. He then directed her into a room, where he raped her, the FIR alleges. The complaint also states that the prayer leader showed the girl a knife and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the assault. The father's account, as recorded in the FIR, provides a harrowing sequence of events that police are now investigating. Why It Matters This case highlights the vulnerability of children in religious education settings, where trust can be exploited. The use of a weapon to intimidate a child underscores the severity of the crime and the trauma inflicted on the victim. The incident also raises questions about the safety protocols in madrasas and mosques, where minors are often left unsupervised with instructors. Calls for stricter oversight and background checks for religious teachers are likely to grow in the wake of this arrest. What's Next The suspect remains in police custody, and authorities are expected to present him in court to face formal charges. Medical reports on both the suspect's injury and the victim's condition will likely play a role in the proceedings. Police are continuing their investigation, including verifying the circumstances of the shooting and any potential witnesses. The case has drawn public attention, and a conviction could set a precedent for handling similar abuse allegations in religious institutions.