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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.
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.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.
A spokesperson for the family in Oldham said they were "over the moon".A spokesperson for the family in Oldham said they were "over the moon".
They also said that Sahil's mother Akila Naqqash had spoken to her son on the telephone.They also said that Sahil's mother Akila Naqqash had spoken to her son on the telephone.
"The whole family is ecstatic. They are currently taking in the news in and want to celebrate as a family," they said."The whole family is ecstatic. They are currently taking in the news in and want to celebrate as a family," they said.
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.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.
Violent robberyViolent robbery
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.
"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.
The raiders had 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.The raiders had 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.
Raja Saeed returned to the UK last week, against police wishes
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool said it was not yet known whether any ransom had been paid.The BBC's Aleem Maqbool said it was not yet known whether any ransom had been paid.
Minister confirms Sahil release
He also said kidnapping was not rare in Pakistan, and even when ransoms are handed over, such cases do not always end happily.He also said kidnapping was not rare in Pakistan, and even when ransoms are handed over, such cases do not always end happily.
The law minister of Punjab province, Rana Sanaullah, was asked on ARY TV on Tuesday whether Sahil's father had paid a ransom to secure his child's release.The law minister of Punjab province, Rana Sanaullah, was asked on ARY TV on Tuesday 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".He said the money had been paid "not in Britain, but in another country".
He also said "an international gang was involved in the kidnapping, including nationals of other countries".He also said "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".
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 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 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.