The law enforcers could not rescue the abducted Danida staff as of yesterday evening. They were continuing their operation in search of the two, using two choppers, report our correspondents from Bandarban and Rangamati.

Quizzing the local villagers, the joint forces came to know that one villager was involved in the kidnapping, but they declined to say anything further about their findings.

Danish International Development Agency (Danida) official Suman Sharif and his driver Mohammed Hanif were kidnapped from Kyaburapara under Thanchi upazila of Bandarban hill district Monday afternoon.

An unconfirmed source said People's Party of Arakan (PPA), a separatist group of Myanmar, is claiming the responsibility of kidnapping the two Danida staff.

District administration sources said the joint forces split in several teams have been conducting combing operation in Thanchi border area where the Myanmar separatist groups are active and set up their dens.

The kidnappers left a chit in which they demanded Tk 40 lakh in ransom for releasing the Danida staff. But they did not contact with either the members of the joint forces or the local administration.