The decision to engage paramilitary BDR in the rescue operation was taken at a meeting at the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) headquarters on Friday.

The BDR force reached Fatikchhari headquarters yesterday afternoon.

Meanwhile, failure to rescue Chowdhury nine days after the abduction on July 24 became a source of serious concern.

Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan, Food Minister Abdullah Al Noman, Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, advisor to the prime minister for the parliamentary affairs, and Sarwar Jamal Nizam directed police for immediate rescue.

So far police could not trace the whereabouts of any of the suspected criminals Gittu Nasir, BDR Salim, Habib Khan, Kanchon Nagar UP Chairman Abul Kashem of Fatikchhari and Aeochia UP Chairman Ahmedul Haq of Satkania.

According to locals, information leakage in advance about the raids is the prime cause behind the failure to rescue the victim and nab the criminals.

Jamal Uddin Chowdhury was abducted at around 11:30pm on July 24 as he was returning home from his business firm at Chawk Bazar.

The kidnappers had demanded a ransom of Tk 50 lakh over phone the next day, but since made no further contact.