New Delhi: Two dreaded criminals were arrested following a brief shootout near Bhati Mines here in connection with the kidnapping of a Gujarat resident last year, police said today.

Accused Taufiq (24) and Sunny (23) were allegedly involved in the kidnapping and extortion bid of Valji Bhai, a resident of Bhuj, who was lured into coming to the national capital to buy a car at very low price last December, said Ravindra Yadav, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch).

Valji reached Delhi on December 21, 2015 and he was taken to Palwal from the railway station by unknown persons. Later, he was abducted and thrashed, with the abductors demanding Rs 5 lakh from him, he said.

The victim was also robbed off cash Rs 20,000 and his mobile phone by the abductors, who left him and ran away following information of a police raid, the officer said, adding Valji then took a train and went back to Gujarat.

Yesterday, the accused duo was tipped to reach Bhati Mines area where they were caught by a Crime Branch team after a brief exchange of firing, Yadav said.

“They came on a motorcycle and when the police party signalled them to stop, they tried to run away. They whipped out pistols and Sunny fired two shots at the police, who returned the fire and overpowered the duo. Two pistols and five cartridges were seized from them,” he said.

Such cases are commonly reported in Mewat area where criminals give advertisements in newspapers in far flung areas of Maharashtra and Gujarat about sale of vehicles especially cars and scrap materials at throw away prices, the officer added.

PTI