16/03/2010

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.

Sahil's kidnappers later demanded a £100,000 ransom for his safe return.

Today the British High Commission in Pakistan confirmed Sahil had been released by his capturers.

The boy was found abandoned 20 miles from Jhelum, near a village school in the town of Dinga, in the nearby Gujrat district yesterday.

Sahil's family said they are "ecstatic" at the news. His mother Akila Naqqash has since spoken to him via telephone.

The boy's father Raja Saeed returned to the UK from Pakistan last week while the police investigation was still underway.

His decision to leave the country was against the wishes of authorities.

British High Commissioner in Islamabad Adam Thompson said Sahil's return was the end of a "traumatic ordeal".

"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.

No further details have been released from the Foreign Office.

According to reports a ransom sum was paid, but not from within the UK.

(PR/BMcC)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

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.
11 March 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.
31 August 2010
Pakistan Cricketers Face Punishment If Guilty
The Pakistan cricketers at the centre of a match-fixing row face "prompt and decisive action" if they are found guilty, the sport's ruling body said. The International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit said that they would "not tolerate corruption in this great game" and they are preparing a report, while police also investigate the claims.
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.
11 November 2014
Missing Schoolboy Found 'Safe And Well'
South Wales Police have confirmed that a missing 11-year-old boy has been found "safe and well". Mubarik Elmi had been reported missing on Monday afternoon when he failed to return home from school. Police issued an appeal for help along with a description of the schoolboy.