Embassy still in dark about Bangladeshis abducted by ISIS

Ten days have passed with the embassy in Tripoli still in the dark over two Bangladeshis abducted by unidentified militants from their workplace in an oil field near Sirte of Libya on March 6.

"Sadly, we couldn't gather sufficient information about the militant group yet. In fact, it is difficult to trace the kidnapping group within short time. But we are hopeful to be successful in this matter soon," ASM Ashraful Islam, counsellor (labour wing) at the embassy, e-mailed The Daily Star yesterday.

Anowar Hossain from Noakhali and Helal Uddin from Jamalpur were abducted with seven other foreign nationals by, as reported in international media, the Islamic State's Libyan affiliate.

Family members expressed frustrations over the embassy's failure and their concern over the duo's fate.

Anowar's wife Marufa Khatun said they submitted an application to the home ministry on Wednesday seeking assistance in rescuing him.

"They assured giving an update on Sunday. But they did not inform us about anything yet," she added.

Helal's elder daughter Helena Akhter said, "We are continuing communication with the Madarganj UNO office. But we could not know anything new about my father." The local lawmaker contacted them last week, she added.