LAKKI MARWAT, May 25: A man suspected of kidnapping an official of an agency and a contractor of the Mission Hospital, Bannu, was killed on Thursday night in an encounter with law-enforcement agencies in Serai Gambila, 22km from here.

Official sources said Sada Khan, alias Sadu, who was the kingpin of a gang, was wanted by police in a number of cases of heinous nature. He was suspected of having a hand in the kidnapping of Subedar Chanzeb and Younas, the hospital contractor.

Officials said Chanzeb and Younas had been kidnapped in the Domel (Bannu) police area on May 23. Secret agencies traced the outlaw when he was talking with someone about

the kidnapped people, sources said.

A heavy contingent of police and the Frontier Constabulary, assisted by armoured personnel carriers, launched the operation in the Serai Gambila area late on Thursday. They exchanged heavy fire with the gangsters.

Sada Khan was killed in the encounter and police seized two hand grenades, an assault rifle and live rounds from the site, the officials said.