Police rescued two persons alive within three hours after they were abducted at gunpoint in Ukhiya of Cox’s Bazar on Monday.
According to police, Saiful Islam, 30, and Faridul Alam, 42, had left their homes in Cheptkhali, Jaliapalong Union, for medical treatment around 3:30pm when six to seven armed men stopped their CNG at Dhlar Mukh and forcibly took them into the hills
The abductors later demanded a ransom of Tk6lakh from each family.
As the situation worsened, the victims’ families contacted the national emergency hotline 999 for assistance.
Acting quickly, Officer-in-Charge Md Ziaul Haque of Ukhiya Police Station, along with Inani outpost in-charge Dujoy Sarkar and ASI Didar, led a rescue operation.
Navigating dense forest and treacherous terrain, the team recovered the victims from deep within Cheptkhali forest around 7:30pm.
Sensing the presence of law enforcers, the kidnappers fled the area, but their identities have been confirmed, officials said.
Speaking after the rescue, Saiful Islam said, “We never imagined a routine trip for treatment would end in such terror. The abductors physically assaulted us in the forest and threatened to kill us if the ransom was not paid. We survived only because our family called 999 in time.”
OC Ziaul Haque said a special operation is underway to apprehend the suspects, and a formal kidnapping case has been filed in connection with the incident.
