Sahil Saeed kidnapping suspects held in Pakistan

Sahil's mother welcomed news of the arrest

Two men have been arrested in Pakistan on suspicion of kidnapping five-year-old British boy Sahil Saeed.

Pakistani police say they arrested the men in Jhelum, the same city where the boy, who is from Oldham in Greater Manchester, was kidnapped on 4 March.

They said none of Sahil's family was involved in the kidnapping and it was a "random" attack carried out by a gang.

Meanwhile, Saheed's mother said he hoped to return to school next week but he had not said much about his ordeal.

Akila Naqqash added she did not know many of the details of the arrests but said if the "right people" had been arrested then hopefully justice "will come to them".

She also said she would never go back to Pakistan following her son's experience.

Police in Pakistan said the arrested men were wanted in connection with the murders of up to 22 people as well as other crimes.

The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Islamabad said the two suspects were paraded in front of the media during a news conference held by the police.

He said they had black hoods over their heads but a local journalist was able to thrust a microphone beneath one of them.

Sahil's family paid a £110,000 ransom to get the boy back

One of the men said "they had looked after Sahil as they would do any other child in their family".

Regional police chief Aslam Tareen said the kidnapping was opportunistic.

"No family member was involved in this case. Reports about a family link in the kidnapping were wrong," he said.

He said the gang believed to have carried out the kidnapping had been looking for houses to burgle when they found the gate of Sahil's grandmother's house open.

Mr Tareen said the idea for the kidnapping took place "there and then" and that they decided to take the boy "all of a sudden".

Our correspondent said the two suspects were believed to have been involved in previous kidnappings.

The police said there was "some resistance during the arrests of the two" and they recovered belongings stolen from the Saeed family home along with weapons and explosives.

The weapons included a rocket launcher, eight grenades, rifles and explosives and a timer device.

Sahil, who had been on holiday in Pakistan, was released unharmed on 16 March after his family paid a £110,000 ransom to the kidnappers.

'Helpless'

His father Raja told the Mail on Sunday that four armed men ambushed the family as they were getting ready to leave the house to go to the airport.

Mr Saheed said the kidnappers threatened to put an explosive jacket on his son.

Regional police chief Aslam Tareen discusses the arrests

He said: "My heart pounded. I pleaded with them, telling them I was not a rich man and had no money. I was completely helpless."

The kidnappers initially sought a £200,000 ransom but this was negotiated down.

Three other people have already appeared in court in Spain charged over the kidnapping. Two others were arrested in Paris.

The police said one of the men detained in Pakistan was the brother of one of those held in Spain.

Mr Tareen said: "One by the name of Imran - he's already wanted in many cases of kidnapping and ransom and murder.

"Similarly, the second one, Safeer, he is also wanted in 15 murder cases."

The case has involved investigators in Pakistan, the UK, Spain and France as well as international police organisation Interpol.

Our correspondent said that police were still looking for other members of the gang believed to be involved in the kidnapping in the Punjab region.

He added that the arrests would be a relief to people in the area as well as to Sahil's family, as it sounded as if the gang had been responsible for very serious crimes in the area for quite some time.

HOW THE KIDNAPPING DRAMA UNFOLDED

1. 4 March: Sahil Saeed seized 2. 8 March: Raja Saeed returns to UK after call from Spain telling him to travel to Paris with ransom 3. Raja Saeed later hands over ransom. Suspects head to Spain tailed by police 4. 16 March: Sahil freed

5. 16 March: Spanish police arrest three suspects 6. 17 March: French police arrest two suspects 7. 18 March: Raja Saeed returns to Pakistan. Reunited with Sahil 8. 25 March: Pakistani police arrest two suspects