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British boy kidnapped in Pakistan | British boy kidnapped in Pakistan |
(20 minutes later) | |
A five-year-old British boy has been kidnapped by robbers in Pakistan, local police have said. | A five-year-old British boy has been kidnapped by robbers in Pakistan, local police have said. |
Sahil Saeed, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, was taken from Jhelum where his family were on holiday. | Sahil Saeed, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, was taken from Jhelum where his family were on holiday. |
Robbers broke into where they were staying, in the Punjab area, on Wednesday night and demanded a ransom of about £100,000. | Robbers broke into where they were staying, in the Punjab area, on Wednesday night and demanded a ransom of about £100,000. |
The British High Commission is in touch with his family and local authorities have launched an investigation. | The British High Commission is in touch with his family and local authorities have launched an investigation. |
George Sherriff, a spokesman for the commission in Islamabad, said they were "continually monitoring the situation". | George Sherriff, a spokesman for the commission in Islamabad, said they were "continually monitoring the situation". |
The spokesman said the family had been due to fly back to Britain on Thursday following a two-week visit. | The spokesman said the family had been due to fly back to Britain on Thursday following a two-week visit. |
The boy's father, Raja Naqqah Saeed, said he was visiting sick relatives in Pakistan with his son Sahil. | The boy's father, Raja Naqqah Saeed, said he was visiting sick relatives in Pakistan with his son Sahil. |
They were about to leave for the airport to return to the UK at 2300 local time on Wednesday when four men - armed with guns and a grenade - approached the house. | They were about to leave for the airport to return to the UK at 2300 local time on Wednesday when four men - armed with guns and a grenade - approached the house. |
Up to 10 family members inside the house were beaten by the intruders during the night. | Up to 10 family members inside the house were beaten by the intruders during the night. |
The robbers eventually fled with the boy, demanding a ransom equivalent to £100,000. They also took household items, believed to be jewellery and money. | The robbers eventually fled with the boy, demanding a ransom equivalent to £100,000. They also took household items, believed to be jewellery and money. |
The intruders said they would be back in touch at 0700 GMT, although the boy's father said he had not heard from them. | |
Mr Saeed told BBC News his son is a child who "loves everyone". | |
"I don't have any money at all. They can take me if they want - just let my son come back," he said. | |
"I am nothing without him," said the boy's father. | |
And, speaking at the family's home, the child's mother, Akila, told Sky News there is "no chance" her family would be able to pay the ransom. | |
Weeping, she said: "He's just a sweet little boy." | |
There are criminal gangs, some associated with militant groups who make their money by kidnapping rich people Aleem MaqboolBBC News | There are criminal gangs, some associated with militant groups who make their money by kidnapping rich people Aleem MaqboolBBC News |
Earlier, Mr Saeed, who has been based in the UK for about seven years, described the incident, saying: "They took my son. They were fully loaded with guns and hand grenades. All Pakistan police know about this, and the British Council." | |
He added: "[The kidnappers] are going to ring me. I don't know what they are going to say to me - I don't have that much money." | He added: "[The kidnappers] are going to ring me. I don't know what they are going to say to me - I don't have that much money." |
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool reported that Punjab police are taking this very seriously and a large team is working on the case. | The BBC's Aleem Maqbool reported that Punjab police are taking this very seriously and a large team is working on the case. |
Our correspondent said kidnappings occurred in some parts of Pakistan. | Our correspondent said kidnappings occurred in some parts of Pakistan. |
He said: "There are criminal gangs, some associated with militant groups who make their money by kidnapping rich people, whether they be Pakistani or foreigners, and demanding money in return." | He said: "There are criminal gangs, some associated with militant groups who make their money by kidnapping rich people, whether they be Pakistani or foreigners, and demanding money in return." |