KOHAT, Dec 12: Three policemen and a local volunteer were killed in an encounter with the kidnappers of two police guards and the driver of a private security company in Hangu district here on Monday.

A kidnapper was also killed in the shootout with police, while the two guards were recovered in wounded condition.

Local police said two guards and the driver were kidnapped as they were returning after withdrawal of money from a private bank near Thall area of Hangu district.

Police quoted witnesses as saying that at least eight masked gunmen intercepted the security company's vehicle and took away the driver and policemen in their cars without looting money. The vehicle, which was left behind, was shifted to Doaba police station, where personnel took possession of the money.

According to them, policemen later spotted the kidnappers in Dalan area bordering Kurram Agency before exchanging fire with them. There followed the recovery of the two guards, Havaldar Tanzeem Dad and Constable Siffattullah, in wounded condition, while driver Azizullah was taken away by kidnappers.

The recovered guards were later shifted to the Babul Islam hospital in Doaba area of Hangu.

The policemen, who died in the encounter, included Sabir Mohammad, Raja Mohammad Akhtar and Abdul Khaliq, while the fourth victim was identified as Nazeer, a local volunteer.

Local administration later stopped the operation and called back police after darkness spread in the mountainous area.