Bangalore, Dec 20 (IANS) A group of armed thugs abducted 12 bar girls late Saturday night when they were returning home from work, but police rescued the traumatised girls after a chase that ended early Sunday, officials said.
Two of the six thugs were injured when police opened fire after being attacked with clubs and knives, Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) M.R. Pujar told reporters.

The girls worked in a restaurant in upscale Koramangala, about six km from the city centre, in east Bangalore.

Around midnight six armed men on two-wheelers blocked the Qualis vehicle in which the girls were returning to their homes, bashed up the driver and drove away the vehicle.

The restaurant owner alerted the police on receiving a call for ransom from the thugs.

After a chase around four hours, the police team surrounded the Qualis at Bagalur, around 40 km from the city centre.

“Our team was attacked with knives and clubs injuring one inspector and two constables,” Deputy Commissioner of Police B.N.S. Reddy told reporters.

The police team fired at the gang, injuring two of its members. One more gang member was also apprehended while three escaped, he said.

“The girls were not harmed or injured,” he said.