Two Bhopal-based traders, who were abducted, have been rescued by the police from a forest area of Barsana in this district after a brief encounter with the kidnappers, a senior police officer said today.
Police managed to arrest six members of the gang. The kingpin, Hazi Kamal Khan, however, managed to give police the slip.
"Traders Ashok Rai and his relative Rahul Rai of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh were rescued from the kidnappers after a brief encounter on Thursday evening. While the kingpin, Hazi Kamal Khan, managed to give police the slip, three gang members were arrested," Mathura Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rakesh Singh said.
The gang members arrested from the spot were identified as Haris, Sahrun and Liyaqat -- all residents of Barsana police station area of the district.
Police said the traders were asked by the gang members to reach Hodal to finalise a deal for sale of metal scrap. From Hodal, they were taken in a car to Hathia village by gang leader Hazi Kamal Khan and his associates.
"In Hathia, they were assaulted and asked to arrange a ransom of Rs 20 lakh. On information that traders were kept captive, police swung into action immediately," deputy SP Peeyush Kumar said.
Following interrogation of the arrested gang members, three more were arrested from Jaipur. They were Tarif, Hasan and Sallam, the SSP said.
