DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Sept 25: Seventeen residents of the Jandi village were awarded cash prizes and certificates of appreciation here on Wednesday for their services to the police.

The Paroa police had on Sept 15 arrested three alleged bandits — Hanif, Moeenuddin and Mohammad Nazir — with the help of the 17 villagers.

The accused were wanted to the police for their involvement in many cases of kidnapping for ransom and motorcycle stealing.

The police had also recovered three Kalashnikovs, one hand-grenade, nine magazines, 130 rounds, one dagger and a stolen motorcycle from their possession.

During interrogation conducted by Atiqullah Wazir, the DSP of Saddar, and other officials, the accused confessed to having snatched during a robbery attempt two Kalashnikovs and one wireless set from a mobile team of the Daraban police on April 1, 2002.