950803

ASF guards free

themselves from

kidnappers

KARACHI: ASF Air guards, displaying valour and exemplary courage, won freedom from their kidnappers on July 31 after a four-month ordeal in the dense forest close to River Indus, ASF sources said here on Thursday.

Seven PIA employees and passengers were kidnapped on April 22 this year on their way to Larkana from Moenjodaro.

The ASF Air guards who have reached Karachi now narrated their woeful tale to the authorities concerned.

The sources said the ASF Air guards - Khan Asfar and Mehmood Ahmed - waited for the golden opportunity and struck when they found it.

The Air guards who travelled for 9 hours before breathing in the fresh air snatched arms (SMG and Rifle) from the dacoits when one of them was reciting verses from the Holy Quran while the other was fast asleep.

According to the Air guards there had been no "police encounter" at all.

However, they were freed when ASF personnel fought for their freedom by snatching the arms and killing the dacoits.

The kidnappers were "locals" as they were speaking "Sindhi" which the Air guards could not understand, the sources quoted the Air guards.

There was hardly any attempt as the dacoits were guarding their "captives" fearlessly and were sure of their hideout as the "safest", the Air guards said.

Air guard Khan Afsar hailed from Hazara while Mehmood Ahmad was from Pattoki.

The dacoits were from "Bachu Machi" gang.

Brig. Rashid Malik, the ASF Commander, has congratulated the Air guards on their heroic struggle.

Meanwhile, the sources said the government was seriously considering to reward the Air guards for their exemplary valour and courage as they won the freedom at the risk of their life.-APP