A suspect was arrested on Thursday when he reportedly tried to sexually abuse a 10-year-old schoolgirl in Rawalpindi's suburban town of Kohala, police said.

According to the account provided by the girl's father to police, the incident took place after school hours when the girl was on her way back home.

"She disembarked from the van, that drops her at the Kohala stop every day, and was walking towards home when a young man standing by an abandoned house, kidnapped her and took her inside the house," he said.

There the suspect reportedly subjected the girl to violence and attempted to rape her, he added. "The girl raised a hue and cry which alerted the area residents, prompting them to gather at the location."

The girl's brother also arrived at the scene and before the police could be notified, the suspect was severely beaten up by the people. Soon after, police officials from Chowki Ranyal arrived and arrested the man.

Later, a case was registered against the accused under Sections 376 (punishment for rape) and 511 (Punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or for a shorter term) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Sub-Inspector Afzal Mehmood said the victim and the suspect both underwent a medical examination at the Benazir Bhutto Hospital.

Mehmood said the accused, who was a car mechanic by profession, "has been sent to jail and his case challan will be presented before the court".