Nusrat Osman: British woman rescued in deadly Malawi shootout

Image source, Handout Image caption, Nusrat Osman was taken to hospital for treatment after the rescue

A British woman who was kidnapped in Malawi nearly a week ago has been rescued in a police operation that left four suspected kidnappers dead and a senior police chief wounded.

Nusrat Osman, 47, was freed on Thursday during an operation on the outskirts of the southern city of Blantyre, police said.

Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspected kidnappers, who police said were armed with an AK-47 rifle and a pistol.

"The criminals got shot and were rushed to the hospital where they succumbed to the injuries," the Malawi Police Service said in a statement.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kayira, who was involved in the operation, also sustained gunshot injuries and is being treated in hospital. The police statement said he was in a stable condition.