RAJBIRAJ: Saptari police yesterday night rescued a seven-year-old girl, who was kidnapped by her kin, within 12 hours of the abduction from Indian territory.

A plain clothes security team led by SP Bhim Prasad Dhakal succeeded in rescuing the minor girl from Laukahi Thana of Madhuwani district in India.

The victim has been identified as Santoshi, daughter of Laxman Mandal of Nargho -6 of the district.

She was kidnapped by her relatives yesterday at around 4:00 pm. According to SP Dhakal, the abductors had taken the girl to Indian territory on a bicycle.

However, security personnel are yet to detain the kidnappers. Police have intensified search for the perpetrators.

“Preliminary investigation shows that a youth in his mid-20s kidnapped the minor. The kidnappers have already been identified and will be apprehended within two or three days,” said SP Dhakal.

The victim’s mother Sanju Mandal said that her daughter was kidnapped by a youth who was their relative. “We had never imagined that a family member would kidnap my daughter. He used to give her chocolates and other sweets before,” she said.

The victim’s father operates a hotel at the district headquarters Rajbiraj.