5 Mymensingh men abducted by 'Rab impersonators'

Unknown people, identifying themselves as members of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), abducted five youths in Mymensingh's Bhaluka upazila early Thursday.

Families and local people said 30 to 35 men came in three or four vehicles including two microbuses in Kashor village and picked up Hadidul Islam, 30, a businessman, and his younger brother Johirul Islam, 26, also a businessman.

The same group later entered adjacent Jamirdia Dubaliapara village and picked up Hadidul's brothers-in-law-Ismail Hossain, 32, and Ibrahim Hossain, 25, and their servant Amir Hossain, 22.

Fazlul Haque, father of Hadidul and Johirul, said the abductors identified themselves as Rab men. "But they did not give any reason why my sons were being taken away and what was their destination," he said. "My sons and relatives are not involved with any political party or criminal activities, and there is no enmity with the local people," he added.

Md Mamun-or-Rashid, officer-in-charge of Bhaluka Police Station, said there was no criminal record against the youths.

Fazlul Haque said his son Hadidul called him twice over the phone, around 10:00am and 4:00pm yesterday, and told him that the five of them were safe and would return home. He, however, did not say when.

He said he would file a case today. Jobraj Hossain, assistant superintendent of police and operation officer of Rab-14, said Rab did not conduct any operation in the area on that day. He said, "...we are also trying to reveal the fact behind the incident."