By Salis bin Perwaiz
Karachi:A strange incident was reported in the Baldia police limits, when four bearded suspects attempted to kidnap a minor girl. The girl, however, was rescued by the timely action of a shopkeeper. An Investigation Officer (IO) said that the girl belonged to a middleclass family and residents of the area have refused to record their statements.
The would-be victim was identified as 10-year-old Saba, a resident of Anjam Colony, Baldia-4 1/2. Her father, Mohammed Hussain, drives a Suzuki pick-up in Jodia Bazaar to earn his living.
Hussain said that he came home late at night after he finished work. He asked his wife about the school admission of his two children – Saba and eight-year-old Sheyan. His wife told him that she went to a school situated near Kausar Chowk, Baldia. She met the teachers and administration officers of the school who interviewed the children and agreed to give them admission. Later, she told Saba and Sheyan to go home because she had to find out about their books, uniforms and fees.
When she reached home, Saba and Sheyan told her that on their way home, Sheyan stopped at Rafiq General Store, situated near their house to buy something, and Saba waited outside. Meanwhile, a white-bearded old man came to her and told her to put her dupatta on her head. Right after this, the man suddenly put Saba’s dupatta on her face and tried to kidnap her.
Sheyan saw this and started shouting for help. Rafiq, the shopkeeper, came to her rescue, and slapped the old man in the face. While this was going on, three people in a black car approached them, and the old man rushed towards the car and escaped.
Hussain confirmed the incident with his daughter, and then registered a complaint at the Baldia police station. The police have lodged an FIR.
The IO said that the case was not yet clear. The family was not financially sound, and the police were therefore not sure if the suspects had attempted to kidnap the girl for ransom. The IO further said that the streets in the area where the suspects attempted to kidnap Saba were so narrow that it would take time for any person driving a vehicle to escape. Meanwhile, investigators have made a sketch of the suspect. Further probe is under way.
Source: The News
Date:4/21/2009
