Indian SIM used in kidnapping of Peshawar businessman: officials

PESHAWAR: An Indian mobile phone Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) was allegedly used in a kidnapping-for-ransom incident in the provincial capital - a development that has surprised both investigators and the public.

In the past, hundreds of Afghan SIM cards had been used in calls related to extortion and other terrorist incidents. However, for the first time, an Indian SIM was reportedly used to contact the family of a kidnapped person via WhatsApp, demanding Rs 40 million for his release.

“Yes, WhatsApp via an Indian-registered SIM was used for the ransom call to the family,” Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Mian Saeed Ahmad confirmed. He added that the SIM had been purchased by the kidnappers in Karachi.

Senior police officers are investigating whether a network involved in such crimes is operating with access to Indian SIMs. They are also probing how the group managed to obtain and use the foreign SIM.

Police officials said they recovered the kidnapped businessman and arrested three suspected abductors following an encounter. One of the accused was wounded during the exchange of fire. The arrested suspects are stated to be residents of the Safaid Sang and Regi areas of Peshawar.

“One Bilal, son of Nazir Khan and a resident of Madina Colony, was abducted last week while returning home after closing his leather shop. Later, the kidnappers demanded Rs 40 million from the family through a phone call made via a foreign number,” Superintendent of Police (SP), Faqirabad, Arshad Khan told reporters.

A brother of the kidnapped man approached the police and filed a case at the Faqirabad Police Station on November 5, seeking help for his brother’s recovery.