A three-year-old girl has been seriously injured after a ruthless thug deliberately lit a firework inside her mouth.
The toddler who is in critical condition in hospital apparently suffered major injuries to her face, throat and lungs after it exploded inside her mouth.
It is reported that the appalling incident occurred in the village of Milak which is located in the Sardhana area of the city of Meerut in the northern Indian province of Uttar Pradesh.
According to reports in India, the little girl required over 50 stitches to her mouth as well as treatment for her infected throat and lungs.
The incident which occurred on the eve of the Hindu festival Diwali has now led to police launching an investigation in order to try find the boy involved.
Reports say the ruthless thug targeted the toddler whilst she was playing with other children on the street.
It is understood that the boy fled the scene immediately after the girls family and locals attended to her whilst she was injured.