Authorities says South African police rescued a kidnapped American pastor following a deadly shootout.

South Africa’s elite police unit, known as Hawks said in a statement that, the pastor was seized by armed men last week as he led a prayer service at his church in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

Josh Sullivan, American pastor who was kidnapped was found unharmed in the township in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday evening, the area where he was snatched from last Thursday.

There were no immediate details on the kidnappers who are suspected of having been familiar with the family’s movements.
Over the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase in kidnappings for ransom in South Africa.

Sullivan’s kidnappers had made a ransom demand, prompting the intervention of South Africa’s elite police unit.

Hawks spokesperson, Avele Fumba said In a statement released, the Sullivan had been rescued following verified intelligence wherein a coordinated team moved swiftly to the identified location.

As the officers approached the house, the suspects attempted to flee inside a vehicle, while opening fire.

“The officers responded with tactical precision, leading to a high-intensity shootout in which three unidentified suspects were fatally wounded,” Mr Fumba said.