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Kidnapped Sahil found in Pakistan Kidnapped Sahil found in Pakistan
(20 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. He was reportedly found abandoned on Tuesday morning 20 miles from Jhelum, near a village school in the town of Dinga, in the nearby Gujrat district.
The boy had been visiting relatives with his father, Raja Saeed, who had returned to the UK last week. A spokesperson for the family in Oldham said they were "over the moon".
His return was against the wishes of Pakistan's police, and correspondents say there has been speculation in Pakistan that he had returned to arrange ransom money. The boy had been visiting relatives with his father, Raja Saeed, who returned to the UK last week, against the wishes of Pakistan's police.
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. Correspondents say there has been speculation in Pakistan that he had returned to arrange ransom money.
Mr Sanaullah was asked on ARY TV whether Sahil's father had paid £100,000 to the kidnappers, as had reportedly been demanded. The raiders apparently demanded a £100,000 ransom for the boy's return but his family had said there was "no way" they could afford any such payment.
He said the money had been paid "not in Britain, but in another country". The law minister of Punjab province, Rana Sanaullah, told a television reporter that "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".
Mr Sanaullah was asked on ARY TV whether Sahil's father had paid a ransom to secure his child's release.
He said the money had been paid "not in Britain, but in another country".
Ransom demandRansom 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."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 wishesRaja 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.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.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.