Fourteen of Tuesday's 20 kidnap victims, all relatives of UPDF leaders, had however been released later in the night, although the PCJSS issued a press statement denying its involvement in the kidnap.

But yesterday's abduction of the eight PCJSS men has stoked fresh fears of political violence between the two rival parties.

Sources said a band of 12 armed men ambushed the eight -- all residents of Krishamchhara village of Ghilachhari Union -- on their way to Naniarchar bazar and took them away at gunpoint. Five of the victims were identified as Shashinath Chakma, 35, Urishko Chakma, 30, Anupam Chakma, 20, Milon Kanti Chakma, 42, and Mithun Chakma, 22.

Army sources said troops have launched a search and rescue operation for the eight men.

The freed relatives of UPDF leaders said they were not tortured by their abductors who also didn't make any demands for ransom.

They are Sushanta Dewan, Chirajoti Chakma, Smritimoy Chakma, Gopal Chandra Chakma, Nishan Chakma, Sheylendu Chakma, Shudarshan Chakma, Jiten Chakma, Shontoshmoy Chakma, Montu Chakma, Kalo Bikash Dewan, Shamol Kanti Chakma, Ali Mohon Chakma and Kalacharan Chakma.

The six others still being held are Sanghamitra Dewan, 60, Bhobotosh Dewan, 45, Diganta Dewan, 28, Babul Chakma, 20, Snehomoy Dewan, 28, and Shantimoy Dewan, 40.

Police and troops are carrying out a search operation for the six UPDF relatives still believed to be in the custody of the PCJSS men.

Motiur Rahman Sheikh, police superintendent of Khagracharri, said he is optimistic about their rescue.

"We believe they are somewhere between Mahalchhari and sadar upazila of Khagrachhari and we are cautiously advancing in our search," Rahman told The Daily Star last night.

Meanwhile, an armed criminal gang, outgunned by the army, abandoned their deep forest hideout in Longodu upazila leaving behind some explosives and ammunition. Army burned down the hideout after recovering the explosives and six rounds of live ammunition.