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British boy kidnapped in Pakistan British boy kidnapped in Pakistan
(about 2 hours 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 abducted in 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 Punjab province, 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, had been visiting his mother in Pakistan with 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 (1800 GMT) 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.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". Mr Saeed, who has been based in the UK for about seven years, told BBC News that his son, who only speaks English, was 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 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."
"I am nothing without him," said the boy's father. And, speaking at the family's home in Oldham, the child's mother, Akila Naqqash, said there was no chance her family would be able to pay the ransom.
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. Jhelum itself is not a particularly dangerous place, it's not a tribal area - it's a relatively safe part of Pakistan Aleem Maqbool, BBC News
Weeping, she said: "He's just a sweet little boy." Fearing for the safety of her "bubbly" child, the boy's mother said she had no idea why her son had been targeted.
There are criminal gangs, some associated with militant groups who make their money by kidnapping rich people Aleem MaqboolBBC News She said: "Sahil is a really quiet child - he's no harm to nobody. Why would they want to take my son? What have we done? We've done nothing wrong. This is a normal holiday. Every family takes a holiday.
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." "How is he coping with strangers? Four grown men. I don't know what they are doing to him. I just want him back."
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 says 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 says there are isolated incidents of kidnapping in Pakistan by criminal gangs who want to make money, occasionally linked to militant groups.
Our correspondent said kidnappings occurred in some parts of Pakistan. However, he says there is nothing to suggest this is the case in this kidnapping.
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." Our correspondent says Jhelum is not in a tribal area and is a relatively safe part of Pakistan, where many British Pakistanis are from.
He says police are confident they will bring the case to a successful conclusion.