Abducted US national freed in Pakistan

Pakistani law enforcement agencies on Thursday recovered American national Dr Warren Weinstein from the kidnappers' custody from district of Khushab, some 160 kilometers from Lahore.

The United States Consulate, however, did not confirm the recovery of Weinstein.

Weinstein, the country head for J E Austen Associates (works for Economic Growth and Private Sector Development) and also associated with USAID's projects, was kidnapped  by eight or so masked men fro his residence in the posh area (Model Town) of Lahore on August 13.

According to a source, a team of police commandos raided the hideouts of the kidnappers in Khushab city and rescued Weinstein. However, he did not confirm about any casualty or injury during the operation.

Six kidnappers were arrested and arms recovered from their possession, another police officer said, adding that Weinstein look weak and sick and was sent to Lahore.

The source said the agencies got the lead from the three suspects picked up from different places in Gujranwala, some 80 kilometers from Lahore, a few days ago. The suspects -- Arif, Shaukat and Sajjad -- were allegedly the members of the banned Lashkar-i-Jhangvi.

Earlier, Lahore Police chief Ahmed Raza Tahir had hinted at Weinstein's 'safe recovery' while talking to reporters. An official of US Consulate Lahore told mediapersons that it was also confirming the news of Weinstein safe recovery from the authorities concerned.

"The situation will be clear later in the day," the official said. The family of Weinstein has already arrived here. The three guards and the driver of Weinstein are still in the police custody.