Pakistan kidnap boy found safe (From Northwich Guardian)

Pakistan kidnap boy found safe

5:50am Tuesday 16th March 2010 in National News © Press Association 2011

A British boy kidnapped while on holiday in Pakistan nearly two weeks ago has been located safe and well, the British High Commission has confirmed.

Sahil Saeed, aged five, was snatched from a house in the Punjab region of the country on March 4 after robbers held his family hostage at gunpoint.

The British High Commission in Islamabad said early today that he had been released and was safe, describing his recovery as "fantastic news".

High Commissioner Adam Thomson added: "It brings to an end the traumatic ordeal faced by Sahil Saeed's family.

"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."

Foreign Office officials said they were unable at present to provide any more details about the boy's release.

Sahil, from Oldham in Greater Manchester, was on holiday with his father, Raja Naqqash Saeed, in Pakistan when he was snatched.

Raiders struck as the pair were preparing to take a taxi to the airport for their flight home to the UK.

The kidnappers originally set a deadline of noon the next day for a £100,000 ransom to be delivered. After Sahil was taken, several men - including a taxi driver - were arrested.

Police official Ijaz Ahmed said Sahil was found in the town of Dinga in Punjab province, some 20 miles from his relatives' house in Jhelum where he was kidnapped.