Up to eight criminals abducted the five at gunpoint from a labour shed in Bangchhari, 15km off the upazila headquarters, sources said.

The people taken hostage are bulldozer driver Mohammed Helal, his assistant Mohammed Belal and three unidentified indigenous locals, the sources added.

No-one has yet claimed responsibility for the abduction, but the sources suspect a guerrilla group from Myanmar has kidnapped them for ransom.

They said a Myanmar-based guerrilla outfit had demanded toll from Advocate Kazi Mohotul Hossain, owner of a construction firm, a few days ago.

High officials of army and police have visited the spot.