Philippine police rescues abducted India businessman

Philippine officials say police have rescued a kidnapped Indian businessman whose severed finger was delivered to his family. Four abductors were killed in a shootout and another was arrested. Senior Superintendent Renato Gumban says Gurtej Singh was rescued on Friday during a raid of the kidnappers' hideout in northern Bulacan province. He says Singh and his wife Kulwinder Kaur were talking to clients of their money-lending business along a road in Pulilan township when the kidnappers struck on 22 December. They demanded 20 million pesos (USD 490,000) in ransom. The amount was later reduced to USD 24,500. Gumban says Kaur was freed Saturday after her family paid USD 6,800.

When Singh's ransom did not arrive Sunday, the kidnappers left his severed finger near his home.