Early on the morning of September 13, the G-8 sector of Islamabad was anything but quiet. A foreign national had just stepped outside when several armed men ambushed and kidnapped him. The kidnappers were greedy, demanding a ransom of $100,000 right off the bat. Other staff members at the scene were not spared either; their cash and expensive phones were stripped clean. The fumes from getaway motorcycles mixed with panic, throwing the early morning street into complete chaos.
Fortunately, local police moved quickly this time. Relying on technical surveillance and tips from informants, officers tracked the trail all the way to the Sihala police precinct, successfully rescuing the victim unharmed and nabbing nine suspects in one sweep. Three vehicles used in the crime, along with the stolen cash and phones, were all recovered. According to local media, police are working through the night to dig into the gang's background and uncover any connected cases.
To be honest, after spending any amount of time in a place like Islamabad, every little disturbance on the street makes you keep your guard up. Upscale neighborhoods that usually look peaceful can cook up an armed extortion plot in the blink of an eye. At least the police didn't drop the ball this time, pulling the hostage back from the kidnappers' hands. No matter where you go when you are away from home, keeping an eye on your wallet and your personal safety always comes first.
