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Festive mood at Mohammad Naeem’s house

Mangalore bureau

His family is grateful to government and Afghanistan authorities

— PHOTO: PTI

Big relief: Parents of Sarang Mohammad Naeem, who was kidnapped in Afghanistan, celebrate as they receive news of his release on Sunday.

MANGALORE: Faith, they say, can move mountains. In the case of the Sarangs of Gurukambla, near here, it did.

Sarang Mohammad Naeem, who was abducted by unknown miscreants in the Herat province of Afghanistan on April 21, was released on Sunday.Employed by the Afghan Canadian company HEB International Logistics, he was on an official mission when he was abducted.

Now the broad smile on the face of Mohammad Hussain Sarang, Mr. Naeem’s father, said it all. “You surely know the reason for this smile,” he told The Hindu at Sarang House at Gurukambla, 22 km from here. The family has been excited ever since it heard from his employer that Mr. Naeem’s abductors had freed him and that he would join the family here later this week. Mr. Hussain said his son was expected to come to Mumbai via New Delhi in the next two or three days.

His wife Rafat Sultana and her three children are staying at her mother’s house at Kurla, Mumbai.

“I heard the news from my father-in-law. The family is overjoyed,” she said on the phone. Thanking the media for standing by the family in its hour of crisis, Ms. Rafat said she spoke to her husband. She was not sure about his travel plans. In all likelihood, he would come to Mumbai before proceeding to Mangalore.

Mr. Hussain said his son told him that he did not know who his kidnappers were or where he was taken to. His employers apparently paid him a ransom sought by the kidnappers through a middleman, Mr. Hussain said. Mr. Naeem trekked for nearly three days before he was rescued.

“Anything could have happened to my son those three days,” he said.

Safa Baji, his niece, was leading her cousins in praying for Mr. Naeem when The Hindu reporter visited Sarang House on Friday. Allah ne hum bachchon ki dua kubool kar li [The Lord has answered our prayers] she said.

The Sarangs will hold a big family bash when Mr. Naeem returns home. Mr. Hussain said Director of HEB Logistics Sunil Shetty, who confirmed Mr. Naeem’s release, promised to host a party for the family.

Union Minister Renuka Chowdhury is expected to personally receive Mr. Naeem when he reaches New Delhi, family sources said.

Special Corrspondent reports from Kannur:

Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed has thanked Afghan authorities for their assistance in securing the release of Mr. Naeem.

Mr. Ahamed told reporters that the Afghan authorities, including government agencies and members of parliament, were actively involved in the rescue efforts, even as the company negotiated with Mr. Nayeem’s captors.

The Minister said Indian Embassy officials in Afghanistan were in constant touch with officials in the Herat. The officials were able to contact Mr. Naeem. Mr. Ahamed said Mr. Naeem’s brother Sarang Mudassir spoke to him on the phone and expressed the family’s gratitude to the government and the Afghan authorities. Despite his great ordeal, Mr. Naeem was stated to be cheerful, Mr. Ahamed said.

He said India also appreciated the expression of sympathy by civil society in the Herat province.

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