Kochi: Panic gripped the Ponekkara area of Edappally after an alleged attempt to abduct two young girls was reported on Friday evening. The children, aged five and six, narrowly escaped with their presence of mind.

The incident took place around 4.45 pm as the girls were heading to their tuition class located just three houses away from theirs. According to initial reports, a white car with two men and a woman inside approached the children shortly after they left their residence.

A man in the vehicle reportedly tried to lure the children by offering them toffees. While the younger child accepted the sweet, the other threw it away. Seconds later, one of the men attempted to forcibly pull the younger one into the vehicle. The children began screaming for help, which attracted the attention of a nearby dog that barked and ran toward the car. Startled by the commotion, the group abandoned the attempt, shut the car doors and sped off.

The children ran to the tuition teacher’s house and narrated the incident. The teacher immediately alerted their family, who then contacted the police.

Local residents suspect the perpetrators were familiar with the area and had been observing the children prior to the attempted abduction. Notably, the location lacks CCTV coverage, which might have been a factor in the group's decision to target the spot. However, some residents reported spotting the same white car moving along Perumanathazham Road after 12 pm on the same day.

The police have begun a thorough investigation and are reviewing available CCTV footage from nearby areas to trace the vehicle and identify those involved.