UMERKOT, Feb 27: A bandit died and two others arrested in an encounter on Sunday which led to recovery of a kidnapped trader, according to police.

The DPO of Umerkot, Mohammad Ali Baloch, told journalists that five armed men had kidnapped a trader Lajpat Rai on Saturday evening from Nabisar town.

Police were asked to be alert after the incident.

They were intercepted near Talhi check post but opened fire on police. Saleem, a resident of Chakwal died on the spot, when police retaliated.

He claimed that two alleged bandits Jahangir alias Asadullah of Ratodero and Abdul Ghani of Khairpur had also been arrested. Meanwhile, their two accomplices made good their escape.

According to him, the arrested and killed bandits were involved in a number of cases of kidnapping for ransom. The police official said that three TT pistols with 27 bullets, veils, and injections have also been recovered from their possession.

The Provincial Police Officer (PPO) has announced Rs200,000 for the police party which took part in the encounter, the DPO said. Our Dadu Correspondent adds:

Police launched a house-to-house search in three villages of Mehar taluka on Sunday to recover two men who were kidnapped from Radhan three days ago.

Six suspicious persons were arrested and some weapons were seized from them during the search. They were lodged at Mehar police station.

The search was launched in the villages of Mankani, Fatoo Qambrani and Fatoo Khoso to recover Muzal Narejo and Rizwan Mirani.

SPO of Mehar Abdullah Lakhiar told reporters that police began the search when they found a clue that notorious dacoit Manzoor Patojo had kidnapped Moazzam Narejo and Rizwan Mirani.

Three of the arrested suspects had links with the dacoit, he said, adding that that three Kalashnikovs, two double barrel guns and one rifle were recovered from them.