In a macabre incident, an infant girl was allegedly sacrificed by her neighbour to propitiate gods at Subhashnagar village, nearly 75 km from Warangal, the police said on Thursday.

The victim identified as Jyothi Nihal was beheaded by her neighbour on Tuesday as he believed it would please the gods, they said. He added that both the girl and the accused hailed from neighbouring Orissa.

The accused lured the victim with sweets when she was alone at home and then took her to an isolated place where she was murdered, they said.

The issue came to light when Jyothi's parents on their return searched for her and found the decapitated body.

The accused is absconding following registration of a complaint by the victim's parents.