Kidnapped Karachi youth recovered from Ghotki

Three young men of the metropolis lured to Kashmore and kidnapped by Katcha robbers on January 3 were safely recovered from a riverine area of the Ghotki district on Tuesday.

The Ghotki police claimed that they secured release of Owais Malik, his younger brother Faizan Malik and their friend Anas Malik in an operation in the Raunti area, which is notorious for the bandits' activity.

However, the police could not arrest any suspect who, the police spokesman maintained, escaped leaving behind their captives. Safiullah Ansari, SHO Raunti police station, led the operation.

The three young men had fallen victim to a honey-trap laid by a gang of dacoits who had lured them all the way to Ghotki for a carpet cleaning contract.

The trio of entrepreneurs had launched a carpet and sofa cleaning business on Facebook.

They were overjoyed to receive an order online. According to the police, they were picked up by bandits when they reached Kashmore by bus.

The kidnappers told the parents of the men to pay Rs6 million ransom for their release. The FIR of their kidnapping was registered at Rizvia police station by Nauman Malik, an uncle of Faizan. While the investigation was handed over to the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC), the Ghotki police did not mention any role of the cell in the recovery.