Police in Abbottabad have recovered a 17-day-old infant who was allegedly abducted from a hospital nursery and arrested four suspects believed to be involved in the kidnapping, district police officials said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference, District Police Officer (DPO) Haroon Rasheed said the child was rescued during a targeted operation conducted by a police team working under the supervision of SP Cantt Ali Hamza Butt, DSP Cantt Tahir Saleem and SHO Cantt Ali Jadoon.
According to police, the infant, Huzaifa, had been admitted to the Women and Children Hospital for medical treatment when an unidentified woman allegedly took him from the nursery ward and fled. Following a complaint filed by the child’s father, Siraj, a resident of Jhangi Syedan, Cantt Police registered a case under Section 363 of the Pakistan Penal Code and launched an immediate investigation.
Investigators examined CCTV footage, hospital records and other forensic evidence, which led them to identify the prime suspect as Ayesha Bibi, wife of Fayyaz. Police said she allegedly removed the newborn from the hospital before travelling to Ayub Medical Complex, where she is believed to have altered her appearance in an attempt to evade detection.
Authorities said the suspect later concealed the infant in a bedsheet and contacted her husband, Fayyaz Ahmed, along with other alleged accomplices. The group reportedly used a carry-on vehicle to transport the child to a residence in Gali Banian, Kathwal.
Police said continuous surveillance, modern investigative methods and detailed analysis of security camera footage enabled officers to trace the suspects’ whereabouts. A raid was subsequently carried out in Gali Banian, resulting in the safe recovery of the newborn.
The operation led to the arrest of Ayesha Bibi, Fayyaz Ahmed, Hazala Bibi and Wahab Ali, all residents of Gali Banian, Kathwal, Nawanshahr. Officers also impounded a vehicle bearing registration number RIA-252, which investigators believe was used during the commission of the crime.
Following the completion of legal procedures, the infant was reunited with his parents. Police said further inquiries are underway to establish the motive behind the abduction and determine whether any additional individuals were involved.