MIRPURKHAS, June 18: Four armed men barged into an oil mill on the Mirwah road here on Saturday and kidnapped mill owner Dr Keshumal.

The Hindu community has strongly protested against the kidnapping.

President of Hindu Panchayat Laxmandas has threatened the authorities that if Dr Keshumal is not recovered within two days, they will protest.

DPO of Mirpurkhas Riaz Soomro said that all the exit points had been closed and efforts were being made to recover the kidnapped mill owner.

He said police had recovered a kidnapped victim, Ali Murad Rajar, after a brief encounter with outlaws. He was kidnapped from Rajar Fruit Farm 18 days ago.

Police had also arrested six dacoits involved in the kidnapping and seized one kalashnikov, one 7mm rifle, two double barrel guns and a large quantity of ammunition from their possession, the DPO said in a news conference on Saturday.

The DPO said police had received information about the presence of the dacoits on the border of Mirpurkhas and Tando Allahyar districts and rushed to the spot. An encounter took place and the kidnapped youth was recovered.

He said he had recommended a reward of Rs500,000 for the police party taking part in the encounter.

The father of the recovered youth also announced a reward of Rs200,000 for the party.

Ali Murad said that the bandits frequently changed places and used different mobile phones and SIMs to talk to his family for the payment of ransom.