PESHAWAR, Aug 25: Police on Friday claimed to have freed an Afghan trader from his captors without paying any ransom. Abdul Wakeel had been kidnapped while he was driving on the Dalazak Road about 16 days ago. The kidnappers left the Afghan trader blindfolded near the tribal region on Thursday night after “immense pressure” was brought to bear upon them by the city police, SSP (operations) Iftikhar Ahmad Khan said during a press conference at the police headquarters here.

According to the SSP, the kidnappers belonged to Sheikhan village near the Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency. A powerful man from Sarband village in the outskirts of Peshawar played a major role in the recovery of the Afghan trader.

The Afghan trader also told newsmen that no ransom had been paid to the kidnappers for his release.

He said that his captors had demanded Rs10 million from his family.

But they immediately informed the local police and who pressurised the criminal’s family to release him without paying the ransom.

The SSP said that a few days ago, the Afghan businessman’s car was recovered from the Kohat Road and on Thursday night, the kidnappers released Abdul Wakeel, he added.

ANTI-CRIME DRIVE: City police arrested seven proclaimed offenders during its ongoing crackdown on criminals.

Police official said here on Thursday that proclaimed offenders, Gul, Mst Shaheen, Gulab Khan, Moamor, Zewar and Mastori Gul were arrested from various areas of the provincial metropolis.

The police also seized 78 pornographic video CDs, 9kgs of charas and four bottles of liquor. Cases have been registered against the criminals.

—APP