UP: Kidnapped boy recovered after shoot-out

Lucknow, May 8: The Special Task Force of the Uttar Pradesh police today rescued 16-year-old Mohit Chandnani from the clutches of kidnappers after a brief shoot-out.

The shoot-out left two of the kidnappers dead in the Ramnagar area of neighbouring Barabanki district early today.

Mohit was kidnapped on May 1 while on way to school along with his father on a scooter.

We have safely recovered Mohit; the encounter is still on, ASP (STF) Vijay Bhushan told sources from Barabanki.

He claimed that the weapons recovered from the kidnappers indicated that a professional gang was behind the crime. A thorough investigation would only prove something positive, an official added.

One of the kidnappers shot dead has been identified as Rinku, a neighbour of the kidnapped boy.

The kidnappers had reportedly demanded Rs 50 lakh as ransom for the release of the 16-year-old.

The STF used means of electronic surveillance to track the abductors.

Mohit's father is a well-known cloth merchant and owns two shops in Pragati Bazaar in Kapoorthala area. The kidnappers had used 17 different cell phones to contact the victim's family.

After the kidnapping, the city police had come under fire as traders had downed shutters to protest the incident.

With elections on, the BJP and BSP had termed the incident as an example of the poor law and order situation in the state.

UNI