KARACHI: The Korangi police on Tuesday claimed to have arrested two suspects, who had allegedly kidnapped a businessman and released him after getting ransom a few days ago.

The officials said that the businessman was kidnapped in Korangi Industrial Area on January 11 and released the very next day after a deal.

“The kidnappers took him to an unknown place and contacted his family,” said an official. “Initially they demanded Rs2 million from his family and then raised their demand to Rs5m, but finally agreed on Rs400,000.”

The kidnapped trader was finally released after the payment of ransom, said the official and added that the kidnappers took away his mobile phone and car.

“The family later approached the police and investigation was formally launched,” said the official. “After the initial findings through technological support, the police spotted a hideout in Gabol Goth in Korangi and arrested two suspects and recovered Rs200,000 and the mobile phone of the trader. The other members of the gang ran away.”

Gang busted

In another action, the city police arrested seven suspected robbers in Bahadurabad early on Tuesday morning.

An AK-47 assault rifle and six pistols were recovered from them, said an official.

He added that the police had put the area under surveillance after receiving a number of complaints of house robberies and street crimes. “The area police with the assistance of the intelligence of the city police further gathered some information and identified the areas which were prime target of the criminals,” said the official.

“In the early hours ... the police received some information about the suspects and raided a hideout. While the police cordoning off the area, the law enforcers came under heavy firing which triggered an exchange of gunfire.” After a brief encounter the police managed to arrest seven armed suspects who were later identified as Azizur Rehman, Abdullah, Noor Ali, Javed, Sadiq, Shahid Khan, and Ashad Ali. “Four of the robbers were wounded and admitted to hospital for treatment where they are said to be stable,” said the official and added that the suspects were Afghan nationals.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2021