Trader abducted for Rs30m ransom in Taxila

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RAWALPINDI:

A businessman and his driver were allegedly abducted along with their vehicle in the Taxila area of Rawalpindi, while the victim's son later received a ransom demand of Rs30 million from an overseas phone number.

According to police, complainant Muhammad Rizwan stated in the FIR that he is a contractor and resident of Thatta Khalil, Taxila. He said his father, Muhammad Saleem, left for work in a Land Cruiser along with his driver, Taimoor.

Rizwan said he followed his father shortly afterward.

When the vehicle reached near Dhok Panoo, another vehicle coming from behind intercepted it and forced it to stop. Five armed men got out, forcibly removed his father and the driver, and took them away in their own vehicle.

One armed suspect got into Saleem's Land Cruiser. Rizwan said he attempted to intervene but was threatened at gunpoint.

The suspects allegedly abducted his father and the driver and also took away the vehicle. Shortly afterward, a call was received from an overseas number demanding Rs30 million for the release of the abductees and the vehicle.

Police officials said a case of kidnapping for ransom had been registered and an investigation was underway.