KHAIRPUR, Aug 5: Police rescued two kidnapped persons after an armed encounter with criminals while the kidnappers managed to escape with the third victim in taluka Gambat on Saturday night.

Reports said that two brothers, Sajjad Ali and Javed Arain, along with their cousin Kashif Arain were on way to their village Fazaluddin Arain from Gambat on a motorcycle when eight armed men kidnapped them near Gareo Shakh.

After receiving information, DPO along with heavy police contingent reached there. The police surrounded the area and after half-an-hour shooting, two kidnapped persons—Sajjad and Kashif—were released while the armed men managed to run away taking Javed Arain with them.

Reports said that the two brothers Sajjad Ali and Javed used to run a general store in Gambat town.

A-section police claimed to have arrested one criminal, Jageer Rind, from Sonehro area late on Saturday night.