Iraqi forces disrupt kidnapping ring

BAGHDAD, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Iraqi counter-terrorism forces secured the release of two persons captured by militants and successfully dismantled a kidnapping ring, the U.S. military said.

A battalion working with the Iraqi special forces acted on information obtained from the father of an 11-year-old boy kidnapped Dec. 25. Militants in a separate incident abducted a 23-year-old man at gunpoint Dec. 20.

The militants demanded $70,000 for the 11-year-old and $55,000 from the family of the adult victim.

Iraqi officers uncovered the victims blindfolded and chained in a Baghdad residence following tips from local citizens, the Multi-National Corps-Iraq reported.

MNC-I said the entire rescue operation took about 13 hours. The two abductees were not related.

Iraqi officials arrested 12 suspects believed to be running a kidnapping ring in Baghdad during the operation.