MANSEHRA: In a successful police operation in the Domgalla area within the jurisdiction of Balakot police station, two alleged Afghan kidnappers on Wednesday were killed during an exchange of fire, and a two-and-a-half-year-old abducted child was safely recovered.

According to police sources, the wife of Muhammad Waqas, a resident of Kohistan Colony, reported on June 5, that her young son, Mohammad Salad, had gone missing.

She alleged that the child was taken away by his paternal aunt under the pretext of a casual walk and never returned. Subsequent to the disappearance, the child’s father, currently residing in Dubai, began receiving ransom calls from unidentified individuals.

Acting swiftly, the police formed a special team to trace the culprits and recover the child. With the help of mobile location tracking, intelligence-sharing, and raids in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, the suspects were located.

On June 10, the kidnappers summoned the victims family to Domgalla for the ransom exchange. As police encircled the area, the suspects opened fire. In the retaliatory action, both kidnappers identified as Arman Jan and Faheem Khan, residents of Badbher, Peshawar were killed on the spot.

Muhammad Saad was rescued unharmed, while police recovered two 30-bore pistols and 30 rounds of live ammunition from the scene.

Further investigations are under way.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2025