Safe return: Kidnapped Hindu businessman back home after 118 days

Police secure release of Vikki Kumar after successful negotiations with kidnappers with the help of tribal elders

QUETTA: A leading businessman kidnapped four months back in Balochistan returned home on Saturday.

Vikki Kumar, who is the son of former JUI-F senator Haiman Das, had been abducted by gunmen on May 20 from his rice mill located in Dera Murad Jamali area of Nasirabad district.

“My son has reached home safely after remaining 118 days in the captivity of kidnappers,” Kumar’s father confirmed to The Express Tribune.



According to sources, the gunmen had taken Kumar to Kalat from Dera Murad Jamali. The police and other law-enforcement agencies conducted several raids, but couldn’t find any clue to the kidnapped businessman.

When the police received information about the presence of Kumar in Kalat, they sought help from tribal elders of Nasirabad and Kalat to negotiate with the kidnappers. And as a result of successful negotiations, the police secured the release of Kumar.

The tribal elders who helped the police in negotiating with the kidnappers included Sardar Changez Khan Sasoli, Mir Abdul Ghafoor Lehri, Hafizullah Jattak, Mama Wahid Bakhsh Bangulzai, Shoakat Bangulzai and Haji Rahmatullah Bangulzai.



Initially, the kidnappers had demanded a huge amount of money in ransom. It was immediately not known if the ransom was paid for Kumar’s release.

The family denies any ransom was paid. “Vikki Kumar has been released purely with the efforts of tribal elders,” said Haiman Das, the father.