FAISALABAD: A ‘militant group’ has demanded ransom for the release of a 20-year-old German national who had been kidnapped on Feb 7 this year.

Ali Mohammad Din, a Libyan-born German, had come to Pakistan on Jan 8 to meet his uncle living at Chak 65-JB, Thekariwala. On Feb 7, some people allegedly kidnapped him.

With the help of his (Ali) call data, the family came to know that Mubashir, a resident of Chak 65-JB, had called him last time.

Know more: Family of kidnapped German man negotiating with militants for his release

Thekariwala police registered a kidnap case (103/15) and arrested Mubashir, his brother Attaur Rehman, Arshad Saeed and Nawaz Ahmed who are in jail on a judicial remand.

The case was registered on the complaint of Mubashir, uncle of Ali.

The militant group claiming to have association with Amarat-i-Islami, Afghanistan, called the family and said Ali had met them for Jehad and he would join the self-styled Islamic State soon.

On the other hand, the family said Ali had nothing to do with Jehad and he had visited Pakistan for the first time.

Submitting an application to the investigation in-charge of Thekariwala police, the complainant said the family had received calls from Afghanistan and captors demanded ransom for his release.

He said the kidnappers also demanded release of their four men.

Talking to Dawn, Ali’s uncle Mubashir alleged that the police were doing nothing for the release.

“We had time and again requested police officers to form a joint investigation team to probe the case as a single officer could not trace the criminals.

“We have record of a number of calls made by the militants from Afghanistan that shows Ali has been kidnapped and he did not join them for Jehad,” he said.

A police officer requesting anonymity said they were investigating the case, “however, it is clear that the man had wilfully left for Afghanistan.”

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2015

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