8-year-old kidnapped girl rescued within 2 hours

Jammu Tawi, May 25: An eight-year-old girl allegedly kidnapped while on her way to school in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district was rescued safely within just two hours in a swift police operation on Monday, officials said.

     Three people, including a woman have been taken into custody, they said.

     The incident came to light after a resident of Tikri Pangeri in Udhampur district filed a complaint at Rehambal police station alleging that his daughter had been forcibly abducted by unidentified persons while heading to school, they said.

     Acting swiftly on the complaint, police registered an FIR and launched an investigation. A police team immediately began a search operation to trace both the girl and the suspects.

     During the investigation, police intercepted the suspected vehicle at Khoon-Battal. The team rescued the minor girl safely and took three persons into custody, officials said.

     The accused were identified as Ganja Singh of Ramban, along with Reeta Devi and Deep Ram, both residents of Himachal Pradesh, they said.

     The officials said the rescued girl was reunited with her family. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the motive behind the alleged kidnapping and whether others were involved.

     Police officials praised the prompt response of the investigating team, saying the child’s safe recovery within such a short span was made possible by swift action and coordinated efforts.