Bhubaneswar, Feb 10: A Class VIII student from a government school under Bharatpur police station limits, who was allegedly kidnapped on Monday afternoon, was safely rescued around 9:30 pm the same day at Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar, nearly five hours after going missing.

The minor girl, a resident of the Airfield police station area, had missed her school bus after classes ended and informed her family about the delay. When her guardians arrived at the school, however, she was nowhere to be found. Concerned, the family filed a missing person report at Bharatpur police station. The police immediately launched a search operation and offered a cash reward of Rs 25,000 for information leading to the girl's whereabouts.

According to initial reports, after missing the bus, the girl was standing outside her school when two youths on a motorcycle allegedly sprayed a substance on her face and abducted her. As police intensified their search, the suspects reportedly abandoned their plan and brought the girl to Capital Hospital in a car.

At the hospital, a woman security guard noticed the girl sitting alone and, after questioning her, the girl suddenly lost consciousness. The two youths who accompanied her fled the scene.

In a state of shock, the girl was unable to provide detailed information immediately. Police informed her family, who rushed to the hospital and took her home.

Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena confirmed that the girl was admitted for medical examination and is now safe. An investigation is underway to identify and apprehend the accused individuals.