DERA GHAZI KHAN, Feb 5: An executive district officer of health department who was kidnapped about a fortnight ago was handed over by a gang to a tribal delegation-led by son of Gorchani tribe chief and PML-N MPA on Tuesday.

The EDO, Dr Mushtaq Rasool, was kidnapped while traveling from Muzaffargarh to DG Khan on Jan 22.

Later, a joint team of Punjab police, Baloch Levy and the Border Military Police (BMP) traced and raided the hideout of the kidnappers in tribal area near Thol Janan in Rajanpur district.

However, the outlaws fled their hideout taking the EDO along after setting ablaze his car.

According to sources, the kidnappers, found a new hideout in tough hilly area of Gandak Gowalik near Gazi Nala in Tuman Gorchani where they kept the victim.

Sources said that a couple of days back, the outlaws had struck a deal with a tribal delegation sent by Gorchani tribe chief Parvaiz Khan Gorchani for the EDO’s release. But the deal could not be materialised as the kidnappers demanded ransom and a safe passage.

At last, in compliance with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s directions, PML-N MPA Sher Ali Gorchani along with some elders of his tribe met with the outlaws who allegedly belonged to Chhoto Mazari and Ali Gul Bazgeer gang, the sources said.

They said according to the gang the EDO was actually kidnapped by Akri gang active in the vicinity of Drahma police station of DG Khan district. Later, Akri gang sold the victim to Chhoto Mazari and Ali Gul Bazgeer gang.

DG Khan DCO Iftikhar Ali Saho and CIA investigation in-charge Iqbal Chandia confirmed recovery of the EDO talking to Dawn.

The sources said the outlaws received Rs6.5 million as ransom for the release of the victim as they claimed that they had paid Rs2.5 million to Akri gang for handing them over the EDO.