12-year-old boy rescued from kidnappers in Sar-i-Pul — Pajhwok

SAR-I-PUL CITY (Pajhwok): A 12-year-old boy who was abducted in northern Kunduz province two months ago has been rescued by security forces in northern Sar-i-Pul province, an official said on Monday. Governor Qari Bakhtiar Mahaz said during the handover of the boy to his family that a suspect in the kidnapping had been arrested and would be referred to judicial authorities after the investigation was completed. He praised the security forces for rescuing the boy and warned those who threatened public security and peace to stop such acts or face a firm response from security personnel. Mullah Abubakar, the boy’s uncle, expressed happiness over his nephew’s rescue. He said the kidnappers had not contacted the family during the past two months and that they did not know the motive behind the abduction. The rescued boy, Mohammad Omar, said he had been forcibly taken into a vehicle after leaving the madrasa and was first taken to Mazar-i-Sharif before being transferred to Sar-i-Pul province. He said he had been held in Mazar-i-Sharif for a month before being moved to Sar-i-Pul, where he was kept for another month until provincial intelligence personnel identified and rescued him.