MIANWALI, March 26: Despite a lapse of one week, the police could not recover a contractor who was kidnapped for Rs3 million ransom It is learnt that kidnappers are in constant telephonic contact with heirs of the contractor at Jauharabad. The ransom amount is said to be settled at Rs1 million. But the kidnappers have threatened to kill the contractor if the heirs try to seek help from the police.

Contractor Aslam of Jauharabad, Hidayatullah Khan of Marmandi and driver Nasrullah were returning to Musakhel by their pick-up when three masked men intercepted them about a week back. The armed men took them towards mountains and snatched from them Rs50,000 in cash, wristwatches and a gold ring. Later, they set free Hidayatullah and the driver with a message to pay Rs3 million ransom for the release of Aslam.

Musakhel police had registered a case on the complaint of Hidayatullah.

Hidayatullah’s father Sher Bahadur Khan, a prominent figure of the area, said although the ransom amount had been reduced to Rs1 million, sons of the contractor had refused to pay the amount. He said the kidnapped contractor had also talked to his family urging them to arrange the ransom amount to save his life.

Bahadur Khan further said that the kidnapper group had been identified which was led by proclaimed offender Atta Muhammad Bazi Khel of Chidroo. He said the police were also informed about the kidnappers.

The DPO said that raids were being conducted on the hideouts of criminals who would soon be arrested besides the safe recovery of the contractor.