Safe recovery: Journalist returns home after three months

Questions are being raised about the ‘encounter’ in which the police rescued him

SUKKUR: Mirpur Mathelo-based reporter, Hakim Abro, who was kidnapped from Ghotki on April 22, was recovered by the police from Damdama Shahwali, after an encounter with the kidnappers. The police have also arrested three injured kidnappers.

Police sources claim that on a tip off that the kidnappers were shifting Abro to another location, a heavy contingent of police raided and cordoned off the area near Damdama Shahwali. Police claimed that the kidnappers opened fire, which was returned, and after an hour-long gun battle, the police managed to arrest three kidnappers and recover Abro. The other kidnappers managed to escape.

The arrested kidnappers have been identified as Noor Muhammad Sundrani, Manik Sundrani and Amanullah Shaikh. Noor Muhammad and Manik were shifted to Civil hospital, Mirpur Mathelo, where they alleged that the police had arrested them a month ago near the Qadirpur Bund and kept them in illegal confinement. They further alleged that, early Monday morning, the police took them to the katcha area of Raunti and shot them in their legs to show a fake encounter. They claimed that they had nothing to do with Abro’s kidnapping.

A Mirpur Mathelo-based journalist claimed that the police had recovered Abro days ago and were waiting for a chance to showcase an encounter. Abro’s brother, Shafi Abro, confirmed the release of his brother and thanked the media for highlighting the issue and pressurising the police, due to which his brother was safely recovered.

Hakim Abro was on his way to Sarhad when he was kidnapped on April 22. Ghotki SSP Saqib Sultan Mehmood was not available for comments. The Sindh IG has reportedly announced a cash reward of Rs300,000 for the police.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2015.