Kidnapping Attempt on Children of Aafia Siddiqui
PRESS RELEASE
KIDNAPPING ATTEMPT MADE ON CHILDREN OF AAFIA SIDDIQUI
November 13, 2010, New York, NY – At approximately 4:00 PM local time today, armed gunmen broke into the home of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's family in Karachi, Pakistan.
The incident was apparently a failed attempt to kidnap Dr. Siddiqui's two minor children – both of whom are US citizens, but now reside with relatives in Pakistan. It is unknown how the gunmen gained entry to the Siddiqui famlily home – which has been under 24-hour armed guard by Pakistani police since her eldest son, Ahmed, was returned to the family and came to live with his grandmother and aunt in Karachi in August, 2008.
The two gunmen, who were hiding in the children's bedroom, were discovered by Dr. Siddiqui's mother – Ismat. Upon opening the door of the room, Mrs. Siddiqui saw the two men, who were each armed and holding large sacs. One of the men aimed a handgun at her, and said "where are the kids?". Mrs. Siddiqui was startled and jumped back from the entryway and began to scream. Other members of the family then heard the screams and alerted the policemen who were posted outside the entry gate of the house, but appeared to be unaware of what was happening inside. Hearing the commotion, the two gunmen then fled the scene. They were assisted by a third armed man parked in a gettaway car nearby — which allowed all three men to escape before they could be apprehended.
The International Justice Network (IJNetwork), attorneys for the family of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, expressed outrage and concern over the continued safety of their clients. "Those responsible for the March 2003 kidnapping of Dr.Siddiqui and her two children have yet to be identified and held to account," said IJNetwork Executive Director Tina M. Foster. "But there can be no doubt that the Pakistani government would bear the responsibilty for any harm that comes to Dr. Siddiqui's family in Pakistan now," said Foster, because "not only does the government have a general duty to protect the safety and security of its citizens, but it also has affirmatively undertaken the responsibility for the Siddiqui family's safety and implemented the procedures now in place at the Siddiqui home – which basically have the family under 24-hour surveillance." Foster added that "this kidnapping attempt is simply the latest in a series of incidents which suggests that there are individuals — who remain at large — that would stop at nothing to prevent the truth about what happened to Dr. Siddiqui and her three children to be revealed."
http://www.dunyanews.tv/main_category_eng.php?nid=17586&catid=2&flag=d
Three armed men tried to kidnap children of Dr. Afia Siddiqui from her house in Karachi. Interior Minister Rehman Malik has directed IG Sind to submit report on the incident.
Sister of Dr. Afia, Dr Fauzia Siddiqui told Dunya News that she was in hospital when three armed men broke into her home. Children of Dr. Afia were on the roof of the house. They called the guard who fired some round in the air. Meanwhile Dr. Afia’s mother also came on the roof, after which the armed men ran away. Dr. Fauzia said she has informed police and Interior Minister Rehman Malik about the incident. She told that the kidnappers also brought bags to put the children in and take away.
