QUETTA: Police got an abducted boy freed after killing two alleged kidnappers in an exchange of fire in the Eastern Bypass area on the outskirts of the provincial capital late on Saturday night. `

Police officials said 11-year-old Abdul Waleed was kidnapped a few days ago from Satellite Town and his kidnappers demanded huge ransom for his release.

However, a police team led by senior officers on a tip-off raided a compound in the Eastern Bypass area. The kidnappers opened fire on police forces who also returned fire. In a heavy exchange of fire that continued for an hour, two kidnappers were killed, while another managed to escape taking the benefit of ­darkness.

Police recovered the kidnapped boy from the compound after the clash with kidnappers. “Abdul Waleed is safe and sound and has been handed over to his family,” a senior police officer said.

The bodies of the kidnappers were shifted to the Civil Hospital for identification.

Police said that initial investigation revealed that the kidnappers belonged to a gang which was involved in kidnapping many ­people.

“Other members of the gang and the one who escaped from the site would soon be arrested,” the police officials said.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2020