The Lahore police have rescued two foreign women abducted by a gang and arrested four suspects following a swift operation with the help of the city’s Safe City surveillance system, authorities said on Thursday.

According to police officials, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif ordered immediate action after an emergency call was received on the 15 helpline from the Netherlands reporting the alleged abduction of one of the women.

The chief minister directed police to complete the operation within two hours.

The two women, one from the Netherlands and the other from Venezuela, had travelled to Pakistan to visit friends when they were allegedly abducted.

Police said the father of the Dutch national, who was in the Netherlands at the time, contacted the emergency helpline to report the kidnapping.

According to the first information report (FIR), the suspects allegedly demanded a ransom of $1.5 million for the women’s release.

The FIR also includes allegations of sexual assault against the suspects.

Lahore’s Deputy Inspector General (Operations) said police launched an immediate rescue operation after receiving the complaint and traced the suspects using the Safe City surveillance network, leading to the recovery of the two women.

Police have registered a case at Defence C Police Station under FIR No. 1560/26 and arrested four suspects.

Raids are continuing to apprehend other individuals allegedly involved in the incident.

The victims have undergone medical examinations, and further legal proceedings are under way based on the evidence collected, police said.

Authorities said all those involved in the case would be brought to justice.