PESHAWAR, Oct 22: A local businessman and his driver were kidnapped for ransom from the notorious Darra Adam Kheil area, when they were travelling from Kohat to Peshawar, official sources said on Tuesday.

They said that the owner of Ahmad Associate, Usman, son of Iftikhar Ahmad, a resident of Rashid Town Gulbahar, had gone to Kohat on Monday morning. When he was returning to Peshawar in his car No Peshawar-M 9247, four persons namely, Hamiday, Namray, Herat and Khatki kidnapped him and his driver Shakeel, son of Abdul Latif, a resident of Nothia, at gunpoint near Akhurwal Mor.

Official sources conformed that Usman and Shakil are being kept hostage at the residence of Bahadar at Khoi Hasankheil area.

When the kidnappers were going to Khoi Hasan Kheil area, the khasadar force signalled the vehicle to stop. But the kidnappers ignored them. After a brief exchange of fire the kidnappers escaped, sources maintained.

They said that the kidnappers also telephoned Usman’s family and said that he had run over a child of their tribe and he had now been made hostage.

ARRESTED: The Crime Investigation Department (CID) arrested three arms smugglers and seized weapons in Hayatabad township here on Tuesday.

Sources said that the CID had information about the smuggling attempt from the tribal area to down country in passenger bus.

Working on the tip-off, the CID erected a barricade in Hayatabad near Afghan Commissionerate office. During search, the CID alienated three persons on suspicion from a Mazda bus and recovered nine pistols, one shot-gun and 685 rounds of different bore.

Three accused namely, Fazle Amin, son of Hakim Khan; Tilawat, son of Deray Khan; and Sohrab Khan, son of Lal Khan — all belonged to Chota Lahore of district Swabi — were arrested.