MANSEHRA, Jan 17: A ringleader of kidnappers’ gang, wanted in several cases by police of almost all districts in Hazara, was arrested along with seven other alleged criminals after an encounter with police in Danna area here on Thursday.

“We have arrested Sikandar alias Kanda along with seven other outlaws after heavy exchange of fire in which besides Sikandar one policeman and two women were also injured,” said senior superintendent of police Sher Akbar Khan while speaking at a press conference after the operation.

A heavy contingent of police led by the SSP raided the hideouts of criminals in a mountainous Danna area and arrested eight alleged gangsters after exchange of fire.

“Sikandar is wanted by police since 2000 in cases of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping for ransom and others,” he said and added that two local women and a policeman Mohammad Arshad were also injured in the fire exchange. The injured have been taken to King Abdullah Teaching Hospital.

The other accused arrested were identified as Mohammad Miskeen, Gul Zaman, Shah Rehman, Khan Mohammad, Mohammad Younus, Mohammad Arshad and Khaqan Mohammad.

The SSP said that Sikandar was wanted by police of almost all districts of Hazara and 14 cases had been registered against him only in the police stations of Mansehra district.

“These criminals are also wanted in robberies while heavy weapons have been recovered from them during the raid,” he said. According to police record, Sikandar was also wanted in killing of another outlaw Sardar Mohammad and his two friends four years ago. The SSP said that these outlaws were also providing protection to timber smugglers in the district. —Correspondent