Safe and sound: Former PPP MNA’s son recovered from Bajaur

Kidnappers released minor without torturing him

KHAR: Pakistan Peoples Party central executive committee member and former MNA Akhunzada Chattan’s nine-year-old son, Hussain Shah, was recovered from Dosai area of Khar in Bajaur Agency on Tuesday.

After he was abducted a day earlier, the political administration and security forces conducted a search operation within Bajaur Agency and also alerted the personnel manning check posts.

The nine-year-old was found in the morning.

Case files

Hussain was kidnapped on Monday by four unidentified men in Khar. After his release, the boy told the Levies he was waiting for the school bus when the kidnappers hauled him away in a car.

Insiders told The Express Tribune, the nine-year-old was taken to a village surrounded by mountains, which is situated several miles away from Khar.

However, the kidnappers did not torture the minor. On the contrary, they eventually released him and told him to run and not look back. After travelling for several miles, Hussain reached a Levies check post.

Display of unity

Bajaur Political Agent Yahya Akhunzada told journalists at a news conference the Utmanzai and Salarzai tribes should be lauded for standing united with the security forces in their efforts to get the boy released.

Speaking on the occasion, Chattan said he was happy that his son had been returned to him safe and sound. However, he voiced his concerns over the incident, saying it has resulted in an atmosphere of insecurity and fear. “We are very much concerned about the well-being of our families.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2015.