Mardan - As many as 53 persons including six proclaimed offenders and 47 other suspects were arrested during search and strike operations in Mardan district no Tuesday.

District Police Officer Dr Zahidullah Khan told The Nation that raids were conducted in the precincts of Toru, Par Hoti, Rustam, Katlang and Saroshah police stations.

He said that besides arrest of six wanted men, the cops also recovered 6 pistols, one Kaakov, one rifle and around 100 bullets.

“We have identified trouble spots in Mardan district and the raids are conducted after monitoring of the situation in various areas,” said Dr Zahid.

Four employees of Forest Department kidnapped in Bannu: Meanwhile, gunmen kidnapped four employees of the KP Forest Department, including an officer, in Wazir subdivision of Bannu district on Tuesday, police said.

They said that Forest Officer Anwarullah, foresters Moeenullah, Shaista Bibi and driver Gul Ayaz were on official visit when abducted from Daragai area.

The police on Tuesday recovered a vehicle of the kidnapped employees and said they were investigating the case.