Police said they retrieved the body of Aminuzzaman Talash, 20, a first year honours student of English at Kushtia Government University College, from Madhabpur village at around 7:00pm.

The body was sent to Kushtia General Hospital for autopsy.

Three unidentified youths called out Talash, son of Afsar Uddin Pramanik, primary education officer of Bheramara upazila, at home at about 11:45pm and he never returned.

A unanimous caller later demanded Tk 4 lakh for his release. As his family failed to pay the money, the abductors slaughtered him, they added.

Abductors freed fertiliser trader Jahurul Islam of Harinarayanpur Bazar in exchange of Tk 1 lakh, sources said.

A gang picked up the trader on August 21 when he was returning home from Mahishdanga Bazar of Jhenidah at about 8:00pm and demanded Tk 5 lakh ransom, they added.