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Published : 01 Mar 2025, 02:09 PM
Robbers have looted at least 40 vehicles, including buses and trucks, in Pabna's Santhia Upazila after blocking traffic on a regional highway with felled trees. No casualties were reported in the incident.
The incident took place around 1:30am on Friday near the Tolot area along the Pabna-Santhia road, according to Santhia Police Station chief Saidur Rahman.
Police said the robbers initially stopped a goods truck by placing a tree trunk on the road. Within moments, multiple vehicles -- buses, trucks, and cars -- became stranded.
Around 40 to 50 robbers, armed with machetes, knives, and other weapons, then looted the vehicles. They vandalised vehicles that were slow to open their doors. Transport workers and passengers were beaten, and their mobile phones, money, and other valuables were stolen.
Locals said that the looting continued for about an hour.
Abdus Salam, a victim of the robbery, shared a video on his Facebook following the incident. “A robbery occurred on this road a short while ago. The robbers blocked the road with tree trunks and looted vehicles. They suddenly attacked our vehicle.”
“They repeatedly bashed the vehicle and demanded we open the door. Once inside, they held the driver at knifepoint around his neck and stomach. They did the same to others, taking everything. We told them, ‘Take whatever you want, but please don’t hurt anyone.’ No one was harmed in our vehicle. After pleading with them, they returned two of my mobile phones.”
Salam added that a migrant worker, who was returning home in one of the vehicles, was also attacked. The robbers allegedly beat several people and took everything they had.
Ariful Islam, a local resident, said, “I’ve heard about the incident, but I don’t know the details. Although the road isn’t very busy, several vehicles take this route to Dhaka via Bera and Baghabad. The robbers likely knew this and targeted the road.”
Saidur said that police were sent to the scene as soon as they were notified. He assured that an investigation would be conducted if complaints were filed.
When asked about the hour-long robbery and why it had not been reported earlier, Saidur said, “We have confirmed that three vehicles were robbed. Inflating the number won’t help.”
He also mentioned that police regularly patrol the road, so it was surprising that the robbers managed to loot the vehicles over such an extended period.
