JACOBABAD, Nov 28: Bandits escaped leaving behind seven hostages after an encounter with police in Nehran Patan, a riverside area in Kandhkot on Wednesday, said DPO of Kandhkot Mohammad Azeem Tunio.

The DPO told journalists at a press conference that the bandits took away with them Ravi Kumar and Ahmed Ali Pathan and let go Thadoo Mal, Mohan Mal, Vicky Kumar, Hidayatullah Brohi, Naveed Brohi, Sabu Oad, Khawand Bux Golo, Ravi Kumar, Ahmed Ali Pathan who had been kidnapped from Kandhkot a couple of days ago.

The official said that police had launched a fully fledged operation against bandits in the area and it would continue till the two hostages freed. Police had arrested 30 people during the operation, he said.

Police exchanged fire with bandits near Nehran Patan. As a result they fled away leaving behind seven hostages and taking way two with them, the DPO said.