RAHIM YAR KHAN, April 13: Bhong police claimed on Tuesday night to have killed a proclaimed offender involved in kidnap for ransom during a shootout at Khair Muhammad Jhak and rescued a person. DPO Sohail Habib Tajik told a press conference here on Wednesday that Ziarat alias Dhakni Bosan and his accomplices had kidnapped rickshaw driver Muhammad Shafiq, a resident of Fathepur (Rajanpur), from a tea stall and demanded Rs1.5 million ransom.

On Tuesday night, he said the Bhong police started a search operation in Kacha Jamali area. On seeing the police, some suspects opened fire.

During a crossfire, a suspect identified as Ziarat alias Dhakni Bosan was killed while his four accomplices fled toward the riverine area. The DPO said the police recovered Shafiq from their custody.

He claimed around 200 proclaimed offenders had been arrested during the operation. “Some injured POs are under treatment at hospitals of Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur.”

Bhong SHO Yousaf Pehlwan told reporters the police had registered a case against some influential tribal leaders of Rajanpur district who were allegedly providing shelter to kidnappers.

“Nawaz, Laloo Sikhani and Durani Khan Mazari are some of the tribal lords who are providing shelter to kidnappers.” — Correspondent