11/03/2010
Boy Still Missing In Pakistan
A 5-year-old boy from Manchester is still being held by kidnappers in Pakistan, despite conflicting reports, police authorities in Punjab said this morning.
Sahil Saeed was snatched by an armed gang who ransacked his grandmother's home in Jhelum last week.
He was visiting the country will his father at the time.
Several news organisations today reported the boy had been released by his capturers, citing confirmation from a Punjabi government minister.
However, a senior police commander in the region has dismissed the claims.
Superintendent Kahlid Mahmoud, who is leading the investigation in Jhelum, said the reports were false.
Punjab detective Muhammad Aslam Tareen also told the BBC Sahil is still missing.
Mr Tareen said: "We are closing in, yes. But have we found him yet? No. We hope to have something in the next 24 to 48 hours."
The British High Commission in Islamabad said it is still trying to asses the situation.
Meanwhile, Sahil's father Raja Saeed has returned to the UK despite protestation from Pakistani authorities.
Several men, including a taxi driver, have been arrested since the kidnap.
The kidnappers have allegedly demanded a £100,000 ransom for Sahil's safe return.
His parents have said they are unable to pay the sum. The UK Government has a policy of not negotiating with terrorists or kidnappers.
(PR/NS)
Sahil Saeed was snatched by an armed gang who ransacked his grandmother's home in Jhelum last week.
He was visiting the country will his father at the time.
Several news organisations today reported the boy had been released by his capturers, citing confirmation from a Punjabi government minister.
However, a senior police commander in the region has dismissed the claims.
Superintendent Kahlid Mahmoud, who is leading the investigation in Jhelum, said the reports were false.
Punjab detective Muhammad Aslam Tareen also told the BBC Sahil is still missing.
Mr Tareen said: "We are closing in, yes. But have we found him yet? No. We hope to have something in the next 24 to 48 hours."
The British High Commission in Islamabad said it is still trying to asses the situation.
Meanwhile, Sahil's father Raja Saeed has returned to the UK despite protestation from Pakistani authorities.
Several men, including a taxi driver, have been arrested since the kidnap.
The kidnappers have allegedly demanded a £100,000 ransom for Sahil's safe return.
His parents have said they are unable to pay the sum. The UK Government has a policy of not negotiating with terrorists or kidnappers.
(PR/NS)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 March 2010
Boy Released In Pakistan
A five-year-old boy snatched by armed gun men in Pakistan has been found safe and well after being held for more than ten days. Sahil Saeed from Greater Manchester was taken from his grandmother's home in the Punjab region following an apparent robbery on 3 March. Intruders stormed the Jhelum property making off with valuables and the boy.
Boy Released In Pakistan
A five-year-old boy snatched by armed gun men in Pakistan has been found safe and well after being held for more than ten days. Sahil Saeed from Greater Manchester was taken from his grandmother's home in the Punjab region following an apparent robbery on 3 March. Intruders stormed the Jhelum property making off with valuables and the boy.
04 March 2010
British Boy Snatched In Pakistan
A child from Manchester is being held to ransom in Pakistan. The five-year-old boy was snatched by robbers from a property in Jhelum, where his family had been holidaying. Sahil Saeed's capturers have demanded a sum of £100,000 for his safe return. Jhelum is in the Punjab area, and popular with wealthy tourists.
British Boy Snatched In Pakistan
A child from Manchester is being held to ransom in Pakistan. The five-year-old boy was snatched by robbers from a property in Jhelum, where his family had been holidaying. Sahil Saeed's capturers have demanded a sum of £100,000 for his safe return. Jhelum is in the Punjab area, and popular with wealthy tourists.
18 March 2010
Kidnapped Boy Reunited With Father
A five-year-old Manchester boy held to ransom by a suspected criminal gang in Pakistan has been reunited with his father. Sahil Saeed was taken by armed robbers from his grandmother's home in Punjab two weeks ago. The boy and his father, Raja, were preparing to depart and return to Oldham when intruders raided the property.
Kidnapped Boy Reunited With Father
A five-year-old Manchester boy held to ransom by a suspected criminal gang in Pakistan has been reunited with his father. Sahil Saeed was taken by armed robbers from his grandmother's home in Punjab two weeks ago. The boy and his father, Raja, were preparing to depart and return to Oldham when intruders raided the property.
05 March 2010
Optimism For Captured Boy's Return
There is renewed optimism a British boy kidnapped by robbers in Pakistan will be returned safely to his family. Sahil Saeed, 5, was captured by raiders who had held his family at gunpoint in the Punjab region of Jhelum. Local police have said they are closing in on the suspected gang.
Optimism For Captured Boy's Return
There is renewed optimism a British boy kidnapped by robbers in Pakistan will be returned safely to his family. Sahil Saeed, 5, was captured by raiders who had held his family at gunpoint in the Punjab region of Jhelum. Local police have said they are closing in on the suspected gang.
30 September 2004
Son of UK hostage appeals again to kidnappers
The son of UK hostage Ken Bigley has made a direct appeal to the militant kidnappers to release his father, following on from Al Jazeera's broadcast yesterday of new footage which confirmed that Mr Bigley is still alive. The Qatar-based news agency broadcast a short sequence yesterday showing the 62-year-old engineer sitting squat in a mesh cage.
Son of UK hostage appeals again to kidnappers
The son of UK hostage Ken Bigley has made a direct appeal to the militant kidnappers to release his father, following on from Al Jazeera's broadcast yesterday of new footage which confirmed that Mr Bigley is still alive. The Qatar-based news agency broadcast a short sequence yesterday showing the 62-year-old engineer sitting squat in a mesh cage.