KARACHI, Oct 18: Following joint raids by the CPLC and police in district Hub, an architect, who had been kidnapped from DHA last month, was released by his captors late Thursday night.

The raids were conducted at several suspected hideouts in Hub, prompting a local Nazim to intervene in the matter.

Asim Samdani, an architect and builder, was kidnapped from Defence Housing Authority on Sept 2 by unknown persons, who later demanded five million rupees for his release.

On Wednesday night, CPLC Chief Jameel Yousaf along with SSP (homicide) Manzoor Mughal, assisted by Hub police, raided a number of hideouts in Hub.

The CPLC chief told Dawn that they had given the local Nazim 48 hours to get the hostage released in order to avoid further raids in the area. The hostage was released before expiry of the deadline.

The suspects were using a satellite phone through which they were traced by the CPLC.

The six-member gang has remained involved in at least nine kidnapping-for-ransom cases this year alone, collecting Rs10 million, the investigators said.

The CPLC chief said that Fatah Rind and Talib had been identified as two members of the gang and efforts were being made to arrest them.