SATIE Karim who was kidnapped on July 13 at gunpoint has been found alive and is now reunited with her family.

She was rescued by police on Monday after being found at a house in Balandra.

One of her kidnappers who used her as a shield was shot and killed by officers, police reported.

The name of the suspect who died has not yet been revealed.

Two other suspects including a woman have been arrested.

Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro spoke to the media from the Toco Main Road at Grand Rampalagas following her rescue saying the TTPS have been out searching for days.

The operation took place around 6.30 pm and lasted just five minutes, he said.

Karim, 44 of Bassie Street, Spring Village, Valsayn   is related to the owner of a courier company and although police said a ransom was demanded for her safe return, none was paid. Proof of life was prior given to her family.

Her white Toyota Hilux which she was taken from, which was recovered at Sunset Drive, Five Rivers, Arouca.

Guevarro said the rescue operation consisted of officers from several specialised units, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

He said, “I would like to urge the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to partner with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and share information that is of use to us.”

The information from the public regarding the kidnapping was overwhelming which led to Karim’s rescue, Guevarro said.

He said she was taken for medical treatment and was physically shaken and a bit dehydrated when found but was “otherwise okay.”

Guevarro said the kidnapping of Karim was one of the reasons why the State of Emergency (SoE) was requested by him and agreed to by the government.

“These are the criminals… gangs that have amalgamated themselves into the syndicate and were using crime such as robberies, extortion and in this case kidnapping for the purposes of getting money so that they could fuel their rampant attack on the good citizens of this country.”

He also said it was a scenario which could have played out differently if the suspect who died had just surrendered.