MIRPURKHAS: A cattle trader who was allegedly kidnapped on Sept 5 near the 78-Mori area while he was going to Umerkot was rescued in what police claimed to be an ‘encounter’ near Dasdari village on Thursday. One suspect was killed and his three accomplices arrested, the police said. The trader, Noor Mohammed Mahar, said that he had been doing the cattle business with the alleged kidnappers in the past, and claimed that they were demanding Rs10 million from his family for his release.

Giving details of his release, Mirpurkhas SSP Usman Ghani told a press conference in his office that on Thursday, officials at the Khaan police station received a tip-off about the presence of the suspects along with the hostage in a house near Dasdari village. A police party went to the specified place but the kidnappers sensing danger tried to flee in a cab along with the hostage. When they were challenged, they opened fire which was returned, he added.

He identified the deceased suspect as Ali Murad Rind and the arrested ones as Suleman Rind, Arz Mohammed Khaskheli and Himmat Ali Rind (cab driver), and claimed that one Kalashnikov, three pistols and ammunition were seized from them. Rind and Khaskheli also received bullet wounds, he said.