Sunday, 09 March, 2025
Robbers looted at least 40 vehicles, including buses and trucks, in Pabna's Santhia Upazila after obstructing traffic on a regional highway with felled trees. No casualties were reported in the incident.
The robbery occurred around 1:30 AM on Friday near the Tolot area along the Pabna-Santhia road, according to Santhia Police Station chief Saidur Rahman.
Police reported that the robbers first halted a goods truck by placing a tree trunk across the road. Within moments, multiple vehicles—including buses, trucks, and cars—became stranded, making them easy targets for the assailants.
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.
A victim of the robbery shared a video on Facebook following the incident. “A robbery took place on this road just a short while ago. The robbers blocked the road with tree trunks and looted vehicles. They suddenly attacked our vehicle.”
“They repeatedly struck the vehicle, demanding that we open the door. Once inside, they held the driver at knifepoint, pressing the blade against his neck and stomach. They did the same to others, taking everything we had. We told them, ‘Take whatever you want, but please don’t hurt anyone.’ Fortunately, no one in our vehicle was harmed. After pleading with them, they returned two of my mobile phones.”
Salam, another victim, reported that a migrant worker returning home in one of the vehicles was also attacked. The robbers allegedly assaulted several passengers and took all their belongings.
Local resident Ariful Islam said, “I’ve heard about the incident, but I don’t know the details. While the road isn’t very busy, several vehicles use this route to Dhaka via Bera and Baghabari. The robbers likely targeted it knowing this.”
Santhia Police Station chief Saidur Rahman stated that officers were dispatched to the scene as soon as they were notified. He assured that an investigation would be launched if formal complaints were filed.
When asked about the hour-long robbery and why it had not been reported sooner, Saidur said, “We have confirmed that three vehicles were robbed. Inflating the number won’t help.”
He also noted that police regularly patrol the road, making it surprising that the robbers were able to carry out the looting over such an extended period.
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Robbers looted at least 40 vehicles, including buses and trucks, in Pabna's Santhia Upazila after obstructing traffic on a regional highway with felled trees. No casualties were reported in the incident.
The robbery occurred around 1:30 AM on Friday near the Tolot area along the Pabna-Santhia road, according to Santhia Police Station chief Saidur Rahman.
Police reported that the robbers first halted a goods truck by placing a tree trunk across the road. Within moments, multiple vehicles—including buses, trucks, and cars—became stranded, making them easy targets for the assailants.
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.
A victim of the robbery shared a video on Facebook following the incident. “A robbery took place on this road just a short while ago. The robbers blocked the road with tree trunks and looted vehicles. They suddenly attacked our vehicle.”
“They repeatedly struck the vehicle, demanding that we open the door. Once inside, they held the driver at knifepoint, pressing the blade against his neck and stomach. They did the same to others, taking everything we had. We told them, ‘Take whatever you want, but please don’t hurt anyone.’ Fortunately, no one in our vehicle was harmed. After pleading with them, they returned two of my mobile phones.”
Salam, another victim, reported that a migrant worker returning home in one of the vehicles was also attacked. The robbers allegedly assaulted several passengers and took all their belongings.
Local resident Ariful Islam said, “I’ve heard about the incident, but I don’t know the details. While the road isn’t very busy, several vehicles use this route to Dhaka via Bera and Baghabari. The robbers likely targeted it knowing this.”
Santhia Police Station chief Saidur Rahman stated that officers were dispatched to the scene as soon as they were notified. He assured that an investigation would be launched if formal complaints were filed.
When asked about the hour-long robbery and why it had not been reported sooner, Saidur said, “We have confirmed that three vehicles were robbed. Inflating the number won’t help.”
He also noted that police regularly patrol the road, making it surprising that the robbers were able to carry out the looting over such an extended period.
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