A group of kidnappers who splashed a hostage with petrol then tried to set him alight were apprehended by undercover police on the spot, reports Beijing Evening News.

According to police, a kidnapper was trying to ignite a lighter after splashing petrol on a middle-aged man when some plain-clothes officers surprised them and rescued the hostage.

In the ensuing scuffle, one kidnapper was shot in the shoulder and one policeman suffered a burn.

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