Kidnapping 'mastermind' in Pakistan is arrested

THE alleged mastermind behind the kidnapping of a five-year-old British boy in Pakistan has been arrested.

Another man wanted in connection with the kidnapping as well as 22 murders was also arrested, Pakistan police said yesterday.

The two suspects were captured in a series of raids on Wednesday night in the city of Jhelum, where Sahil Saeed was taken on 4 March.

Regional police chief Muhammad Aslam Tareen, who is leading the investigation, said the men had admitted taking part in the kidnapping.

He said the men decided to take the boy and demand a ransom during an opportunistic burglary. The police chief said the house where the boy was kidnapped was targeted after a door was left open.

He said: "It was random. They went to rob a house and when they were on the move they saw the door was open. They entered the house and started searching for valuables and cash.

"But they couldn't find much so they decided to take the boy and make a demand for ransom."

He added: "We are still in search of two others. We will catch them."

He said one of those arrested was the alleged "mastermind" of the kidnap group and the other was already wanted in Rawalpindi, where his gang had allegedly committed 22 murders.

Sahil, from Oldham, was eventually released unharmed on 16 March.

Three people – two Pakistani men and a Romanian woman – have already appeared in court in Spain accused of involvement in the kidnapping. Two others were arrested in France.