Kidnapped child recovered, 2 held

LALAMUSA: Rehmania police recovered a seven-year-old child, who was kidnapped for ransom, and arrested two kidnappers.

On March 12, during Iftar, the police received an emergency call reporting the abduction of seven-year-old Burhan Akhtar from New Model Town. Upon reviewing CCTV footage, the police discovered that two unidentified motorcyclists had taken the child.

The footage of the abduction soon went viral on social media, further intensifying public concern. Later that night, the victim’s family received a chilling call from an unknown number, demanding a ransom of Rs 15 million for his release. The kidnappers threatened to send the child’s body home if their demands were not met. The alarming nature of the incident prompted Gujrat District Police Officer (DPO) Mustansar Ata Bajwa to take immediate action. He assembled an investigative team under the leadership of SP Investigation Mehr Muhammad Riaz and DSP City Syed Amir Abbas Shirazi to ensure the child’s safe recovery and bring the culprits to justice.

Leveraging the expertise of the Gujrat Safe City Project and the IT Wing, the investigators analysed available footage and used forensic techniques to identify the motorcycle used in the crime. Although the number plate was unclear, the police traced ownership through various means, leading them to Shahid, a resident of Hafizabad. Shahid revealed that he had lent the motorcycle to Rashid, a resident of New Model Town, Gujrat. During questioning, Rashid stated that Ashfaq had taken the motorcycle from him. Ashfaq, in turn, claimed that the bike had been stolen.

However, when the police raided Ashfaq’s house, they found him wearing the same clothes seen in the CCTV footage, confirming his involvement. A police team was simultaneously conducting an extensive search at Mohallah Ghaziabad. Recognising the high risk to the child’s life, the law enforcement planned an operation to ensure his safe recovery. The breakthrough came in the Lorry Adda police limits where the kidnapped child was successfully rescued. During the operation, the police arrested two suspects Tayyab of Mohallah Maqboolabad and Ashfaq Ahmed of New Model Town, Gujrat. Further investigation uncovered the involvement of an international mastermind. The primary suspect, Azhar Hussain, who resides in Muscat, orchestrated the crime from abroad. According to confessions from the arrested suspects, Azhar directed the kidnappers to abduct a child and provide him with the household details.

He then arranged for ransom demands to be made through his network operating from the Katcha area. The police continue to interrogate the arrested individuals and further arrests are expected as the investigation unfolds.