"The abductees got back home unscathed. None of them were tortured while in captivity," the source added.

However, it has yet to be learnt whether the abductors released the seven against ransom.

"Our forces dealt with the matter. By combing the area round the clock for the abducted villagers, they had exerted huge pressure on the captors and eventually forced the UPDF cadres to release the hostages," said the source.

The UPDF men on Wednesday night took away at gunpoint Atul Bihari Chakma, 35,Raj Bihari Chakma, 45, Kanak Kumar Chakma, 55, Kali Prosanna Chakma,45,

Bhuban Chakma, 25, Tejendra Chakma, 45, and Ripon Chakma, 25 from Krishnamachhara village.

Hours later, they freed Ripon Chakma and asked him to tell the families of the rest of the captives that they wanted Tk 1 lakh for the others' release.

The army launched a rescue drive immediately after the abduction while the local Union Parishad chairman was trying to negotiate release of the hostages.