A gang of robbers blocked the Pabna-Santhia road by felling trees and looted several vehicles, including buses and trucks, in Santhia, Pabna.
The incident occurred around 1:30am on Saturday near the Chechania Bridge, confirmed Officer-in-Charge (OC) Saidur Rahman of Santhia Police Station.
According to police and locals, the robbers first stopped a goods-laden truck by placing logs on the road at Chechania culvert (Madhpur-Santhia). This led to a traffic jam, trapping several vehicles, including trucks, private cars, microbuses, CNGs, and motorcycles.
Indefinite armed robbers, carrying machetes, knives, and other sharp weapons, systematically robbed the vehicles.
They vandalized some vehicles for delayed door openings and assaulted drivers and passengers, looting valuables, including money and mobile phones. The robbery spree lasted nearly an hour.
One victim, Abdus Salam, shared his experience in a Facebook video, describing how the robbers attacked suddenly and forced their way into his vehicle, threatening the driver with a knife.
"We pleaded—Take whatever we have, but don't hurt us. They spared us from harm and even returned two of my mobile phones," he said.
He added: "An expatriate was returning to the country in a Hiace vehicle. The robbers attacked the vehicle, assaulted several people, and looted everything. Similarly, they robbed all the vehicles one by one, vandalizing vehicles and assaulting many passengers."
CNG passenger and journalist Tofazzal Hossain, who fell victim to the robbery, said: "On my way home to Santhia from Bera by CNG, when I reached the Chechania culvert area, several masked robbers held a machete to my neck and snatched my mobile phone and money."
He added: "Shortly after, a microbus carrying a returnee from abroad stopped behind my CNG. One of the robbers immediately called out—Kalu, come here, a Hiace is coming. They then vandalized the microbus behind me and looted all its belongings."
Local Union Parishad member Babu said that although the road is not typically busy, some vehicles use it to travel to Dhaka via Bera and Baghabari. He speculated that the robbers targeted this road specifically for the heist.
OC Saidur Rahman said that police were dispatched immediately upon receiving the information. "We are awaiting complaints, and appropriate action will be taken following an investigation," he added.
