Two Children Kidnapped From Belagavi, Rescued After Police Shootout

The two children were at home with their mother around 1 PM when two intruders entered the house and kidnapped them.

Two young children were safely rescued after being abducted from their home in Athani, Belagavi, on Thursday. The incident, which unfolded in broad daylight, was caught on CCTV cameras, leading to a swift response from the authorities. However, the rescue operation turned violent after the kidnappers reportedly resorted to attack the police who took to shooting the accused.

The two children were identified as Swasti (4) and Vyom (3).

The two children were at home with their mother around 1 PM when two intruders entered the house and kidnapped them. The miscreants swiftly lifted the children, who had just returned from their kindergarten, and fled in their car. The grandmother, who witnessed the incident, raised an alarm, prompting immediate police action.

Acting on the alert, the police launched an intensive search operation and registered a case at the Athani police station. Multiple police teams were formed to track down the kidnappers. The children’s father, who is in the real estate business, reportedly owed Rs 7 crore to the suspects, who resorted to kidnapping to recover the money.

The police intercepted the suspects on Friday which led to a confrontation. Belagavi Superintendent of Police confirmed that the suspects attacked the officers by throwing stones, forcing the police to open fire in self-defense, as per a report on India Today. One of the accused, Sambha Rawasab Kambale (25), was shot in the leg during the encounter and is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Athani.

Two police personnel, a PSI and a constable, were also injured in the scuffle. Despite the violent confrontation, the police successfully rescued the two children without being hurt. Three individuals involved in the kidnapping have been arrested in connection with the case.

However, further investigations are underway.