DERA GHAZI KHAN: Six armed suspects barged into a poor farmer’s house in Shahwali police precincts in Rujhan Mazari tehsil of Rajanpur, and kidnapped a child for ransom from the courtyard of the house on Tuesday night.

Reports said the bandits broke into Bashir Malik’s house, kidnapped his relative Yasin Malik’s eight-year-old son, Hashim, and seriously injured Bashir’s son Ali Hassan (12) who sustained a bullet injury to his abdomen.

The children were sleeping outside to protect their water pump and solar panels when the gangsters broke into the house.

During the intrusion, firing confined the area’s residents to their homes.

Locals have demanded the immediate recovery of the hostage, as they cannot afford to pay the ransom.

Rajanpur District Police Officer Dost Muhammed told Dawn the abduction occurred in a remote riverine area. He said the police had registered a case against the kidnappers under sections 324, 365, 148, and 149 of PPC. Police teams are conducting raids to arrest the culprits and ensure the safe recovery of the child.

Regarding the injured child, the district police officer mentioned that he had been shifted to Shaikh Zayed Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan for treatment.

The DPO claimed that the gangsters didn’t barge in the house but kidnapped the child who was sleeping outside the house for the protection of solar panels and a water pump.

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2024