At least three suspects have been arrested in connection with the rape and brutal murder of a 12-year-old boy in Sar-e-Pul province, local officials said Wednesday. 

Zabiullah Amani, the provincial governor’s spokesman, confirmed the case and said the incident occurred on Tuesday in Takzar village of Sancharak district.

He said the suspects raped the boy and then killed him by dousing him in acid. 

According to Amani the victim named Abdul Bashir was in Grade 3.  

Provincial police spokesman Waris Wahaj said that three people have been arrested in connection with the crime and have confessed. 

The reason behind the incident is personal enmity, Wahaj said.