Three doctors and a woman health worker were rescued by Pakistani security forces who shot dead five gunmen in the restive Balochistan province, foiling a kidnapping attempt.
Personnel from the Levies militia secured the safe release of the four persons during an operation in Pishin area on Friday.
The gunmen had kidnapped the four from Killi Hekalzai and Malazai and had planned to take them to Waziristan tribal region, officials said.
Five kidnappers were killed during an exchange of fire and one sustained serious injuries. He was arrested by the Levies personnel. Three Levies personnel were injured in the shootout.
They were taken to provincial capital Quetta for treatment. A few weeks ago, armed men kidnapped six workers of a local NGO in the same area and took them to Waziristan.
They are yet to be traced.