A five-year-old boy has been beheaded in front of his mum after a man stormed into his home in India, according to reports.
The man suspected of the grisly crime was a 25-year-old who allegedly attacked the child by severing his neck from his torso using sharp spade he found in the house.
The local community has been left reeling after the shocking incident on Saturday in India’s central state of Madhya Pradesh.
The boy’s mum was also injured in the attack after attempting to help her son.
Madhya Pradesh: Five-year-old boy beheaded in front of mother in home invasion. #7NEWS https://t.co/YlGJPYq7l3
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Upon hearing her cries, locals ran to help the mother, and beat up the attacker who died on his way to the hospital.
A case has been registered against the suspect, who police understand had been missing from his home for almost four days.
The child’s cause of death is yet to be formally determined by a post-mortem.
Mayank Awasthi, Dhar Superintendent of Police said: "The actual situation will become clear after the post-mortem report is released.
"Police investigations revealed that they had no acquaintance or grudge against the murderer. The police are conducting a detailed investigation."
The horrific attack comes months after the case of a tourist and her travel host were gang-raped while star-gazing.
Police chief Ram L Arasiddi confirmed that the assault began when the host invited her four guests - an Israeli women, two Indian men, and another man from the US – to stargaze near a canal in Koppal.
Three suspects then appeared on motorbike and approached the group. They demanded money for petrol, before attacking the group. They separated the women and men by throwing the men into a canal, resulting in the death of one of the Indian travellers. The other man swam to safety.
The gang set on the two women, beat and sexually assaulted them, and escaped on motorbike.
The case sent shockwaves across India, leading to Karnataka state president B. Y. Vijayendra declaring that there are still not enough protections for women.
He said authorities remain "delusional and indifferent".
The state's chief minister Siddaramaiah said: "Our government is committed to providing protection to everyone, including tourists, coming to the state.
"All necessary measures will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur."
