This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8569501.stm
The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Kidnapped Sahil found in Pakistan | Kidnapped Sahil found in Pakistan |
(10 minutes later) | |
The five-year-old British boy who was kidnapped in Pakistan has been found safe and well in the country, the British High Commissioner has said. | The five-year-old British boy who was kidnapped in Pakistan has been found safe and well in the country, the British High Commissioner has said. |
Sahil Saeed, from Oldham, had been snatched from his grandmother's house in Jhelum by armed robbers on 3 March. | Sahil Saeed, from Oldham, had been snatched from his grandmother's house in Jhelum by armed robbers on 3 March. |
The law minister of Punjab province, Rana Sanaullah, told a television reporter that a ransom had been paid. | The law minister of Punjab province, Rana Sanaullah, told a television reporter that a ransom had been paid. |
The boy had been visiting relatives with his father, Raja Saeed, who had returned to the UK last week. | The boy had been visiting relatives with his father, Raja Saeed, who had returned to the UK last week. |
His return was against the wishes of Pakistan's police, and there has been speculation in Pakistan that he had returned to arrange ransom money. | His return was against the wishes of Pakistan's police, and there has been speculation in Pakistan that he had returned to arrange ransom money. |
Sahil was abandoned on Tuesday morning by the kidnappers 20 miles from Jhelum, near a village school in the town of Dinga, which is in the nearby Gujrat district, police officials have told the media in Pakistan. | Sahil was abandoned on Tuesday morning by the kidnappers 20 miles from Jhelum, near a village school in the town of Dinga, which is in the nearby Gujrat district, police officials have told the media in Pakistan. |
Mr Sanaullah was asked on ARY TV whether Sahil's father had paid £100,000 to the kidnappers, as had reportedly been demanded. | Mr Sanaullah was asked on ARY TV whether Sahil's father had paid £100,000 to the kidnappers, as had reportedly been demanded. |
He said the money had been paid "not in Britain, but in another country". | |
He added: "An international gang was involved in the kidnapping, including nationals of other countries". | He added: "An international gang was involved in the kidnapping, including nationals of other countries". |
And he went on to say that the case "has been handled [by Pakistani police] in a professional manner". | And he went on to say that the case "has been handled [by Pakistani police] in a professional manner". |
Ransom demand | Ransom demand |
The British High Commissioner in Islamabad, Adam Thompson, said Sahil's release was "fantastic news". | The British High Commissioner in Islamabad, Adam Thompson, said Sahil's release was "fantastic news". |
"It brings to an end the traumatic ordeal faced by Sahil Saeed's family," he said. | |
Raja Saeed returned to the UK last week, against police wishes | Raja Saeed returned to the UK last week, against police wishes |
"I would like to praise the high level of co-operation between the UK and Pakistani authorities and in particular I would like to thank the Jhelum police for their role in bringing about the safe return of Sahil," he said. | "I would like to praise the high level of co-operation between the UK and Pakistani authorities and in particular I would like to thank the Jhelum police for their role in bringing about the safe return of Sahil," he said. |
The Foreign Office said it had no further details of the release at present. | The Foreign Office said it had no further details of the release at present. |
Sahil was taken when robbers broke into his grandmother's house. Up to 10 family members inside the house were said to have been beaten by the intruders during a six-hour ordeal. | |
The robbers then took items believed to be jewellery and money and fled with the boy. | |
Last week, relatives of the boy spoke of their anguish after false reports that he had been found and handed over to his father. | Last week, relatives of the boy spoke of their anguish after false reports that he had been found and handed over to his father. |
His uncle, Raja Khalid Bashir, said at the time that it was "like losing him a second time". | His uncle, Raja Khalid Bashir, said at the time that it was "like losing him a second time". |
In Oldham, Sahil's mother Akila Naqqash had appealed to the kidnappers for the safe return of her son, saying: "I just want my son back. All is forgiven, I will forgive you." | In Oldham, Sahil's mother Akila Naqqash had appealed to the kidnappers for the safe return of her son, saying: "I just want my son back. All is forgiven, I will forgive you." |
Since Sahil was taken, several men - including a taxi driver - have been arrested. | Since Sahil was taken, several men - including a taxi driver - have been arrested. |
Four police officers have been suspended for not initially responding to the family's emergency call. | Four police officers have been suspended for not initially responding to the family's emergency call. |