ABBOTTABAD — Abbottabad Police have uncovered an inter-provincial honey-trap and kidnapping-for-ransom gang, arresting two main suspects and safely recovering a kidnapped man after a ransom demand of Rs150 million, police said on Tuesday.
According to police, the operation was carried out under the supervision of Haroon Rashid Khan, District Police Officer Abbottabad, and Ali Hamza Butt, SP Cantt, following a coordinated investigation led by Asghar Khan, SHO of Police Station Mirpur.
Ransom demand and rescue operation
The case came to light after a Pakistan-origin citizen living in France contacted police via WhatsApp, reporting that his father Abdul Aziz Malana had gone missing while visiting Abbottabad from Multan to attend a wedding. The complainant said the victim’s mobile phone had been switched off, raising fears for his safety.
Police later received a video clip sent from an unknown number showing the victim in chains, accompanied by threats and a demand for Rs150 million in ransom.
Acting swiftly, investigators reviewed CCTV footage from the Daewoo Bus Stand Abbottabad, which helped trace a taxi driver linked to the victim’s movements. Using this lead, police conducted a raid in Osmanabad, where two principal suspects — Waseem Abbas and a woman identified as Bibi — were arrested.
The kidnapped man was recovered safely during the operation.
Honey-trap network exposed
Preliminary investigation revealed that the crime was carried out by a well-organised inter-provincial gang, with the female suspect allegedly using a honey-trap to lure the victim before handing him over to accomplices.
A case has been registered against the arrested suspects under Section 365-A (kidnapping for ransom), and police said raids are ongoing to arrest other members of the gang.
Police action praised
Abbottabad Police said the successful rescue reflects the force’s use of modern investigative techniques and rapid response to serious crimes. Officials said the operation has been widely appreciated by the public, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to tackling organised crime and ensuring citizens’ safety.
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