Pakistani Hindu doctor released after two months in captivity

A Pakistani Hindu doctor who was abducted two months ago in the volatile Balochistan province, has been released after payment of a hefty Rs 15 million ransom, police said today.

Dr Manoj Kumar was abducted on December 2 from the provincial capital Quetta and set free in the Hazarganji area yesterday.

Kumar was released after his family paid the ransom, senior police officer Aetizaz Goraya said.

The captors had demanded Rs 50 million as ransom for his release but later reduced their demand to Rs 30 million.

He was finally released after the family paid Rs 15 million, according to police.

Kumar said he was not given proper food and was repeatedly beaten by the captors.

"I was kept in a small single room and I am not sure where it is located as I was blindfolded most of the time," he said.

A visibly shaken Kumar who was present with Goraya at a press conference said he was spared torture by the kidnappers.

The Hindu doctor who is a resident of Quetta said the kidnappers only allowed him one meal in 24 hours. "I was set free following payment of ransom," he added.

Militancy-hit Balochistan has witnessed several incidents of abduction of senior officials, politicians and businessmen.