DPO Khyber says around 16 to 17 people arrested during the operation
Haqnawaz shinwari
KHYBER
A kidnapped trader, Haji Zareef, was safely recovered after 33 days following an extensive investigation based on modern scientific and technical methods, District Police Officer Khyber Waqar Ahmed said, adding that several key suspects involved in the kidnapping network had also been arrested.
The DPO said the trader was kidnapped on Aug 7 and an FIR was registered at the Landi Kotal police station the same day. Following the incident, a police team led by SP Investigation Shafiq Khan launched an investigation using modern scientific and technical techniques.
Mr Ahmed said SP Investigation Shafiq Khan and SHO Landi Kotal Adnan Khan worked round the clock on the case, while he personally supervised the investigation and monitored its progress.
He said the recovery was made possible through coordinated efforts by the Khyber police and other security and law-enforcement agencies, including the Frontier Corps, Khyber Rifles, Federal Investigation Agency, Counter-Terrorism Department and Intelligence Bureau. He praised the personnel of all the departments involved in the operation.
According to the DPO, the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of $300,000. Investigators analysed technical data, IPDR records, internet protocol data, WhatsApp communications and other scientific evidence, which helped them identify four key suspects. Three of the suspects were from Landi Kotal and one was from Peshawar.
The arrested suspects were identified as Fayyaz Saddo Khel, Umar Ali Saddo Khel and Khayal Badshah alias Gulolano.
Mr Ahmed said the suspects’ locations were traced to Karachi, but they switched off their mobile phones after becoming aware of the police investigation. Police subsequently widened the investigation and arrested facilitators and other secondary suspects. Around 16 to 17 people were arrested during the operation, increasing pressure on the kidnapping group.
He said that during a protest sit-in on Sept 6, he had informed the public that police had made significant progress in tracing the case and had reached close to the suspects. Further arrests were made subsequently.
The DPO said the kidnappers later contacted the authorities and demanded the release of the arrested suspects in exchange for the safe release of Haji Zareef.
He said police received a crucial lead last night, following which a suspect was arrested. During interrogation, investigators obtained vital information after midnight regarding the location where the trader was being held.
A joint team comprising SHO Landi Kotal and Khyber Rifles personnel was subsequently constituted. Acting on information provided by the arrested suspect, the team carried out an operation at the identified location and recovered Haji Zareef safely from a site located at the foot of a mountain.
DPO Waqar Ahmed termed the safe recovery of the trader the result of the collective efforts of Khyber police, security agencies and other relevant departments. He praised the officers and personnel who took part in the operation and said the Khyber police were utilising all available resources to protect the lives and property of citizens and take action against criminal elements.
