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| A policeman stands next to a van believed to have been used in the kidnapping of the Estonians |
BEIRUT: A Lebanese wanted for killing a Lebanese Army personnel and for alleged involvement in the kidnapping of seven European tourists was shot dead Sunday night during an exchange of fire with Internal Security Forces, who lost one of its members during the scuffle, a security source told The Daily Star.
Darwish Khanjar was killed and his companion injured when they exchanged fire with an ISF Information Branch patrol that was chasing them in the Western Bekaa area of Ammiq after they robbed Suzan Eid Jebbara and Rima Karam of their Honda CRV at gunpoint. Information Branch Sgt. Maj. Rashed Sabri was killed during the armed clash.
The security source said Sabri was the head the ISF unit and added that Khanjar’s companion was arrested. Khanjar is accused of involvement in the kidnapping of seven Estonian cyclists that went missing near Zahle’s industrial zone on March 23, a few hours after they entered the country from Syria.
Efforts to free the tourists have been unsuccessful but four individuals have so far been arrested in connection with the case.
The previously unknown Haraket al-Nadha Wal-Islah (Reform and Revival Movement) claimed responsibility for the operation and demanded ransom.
Khanjar is also suspected of involvement in the killing last October of army intelligence Maj. Abdo Jasser and his companion 1st Sgt. Ziad Shuman al-Mais in Majdal Anjar.
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