In a grave incident, bandits gang-raped a female passenger after taking control of a moving bus in Tangail early on Wednesday.
They also looted valuables of the passengers, said Mazharul Amin, officer-in-charge of Madhupur Police Station.
The victim, who is in her early 30s and hails from Kushtia, is now being treated at a hospital.
Quoting passengers, the OC said the bus carrying some 25 was going to Narayanganj from Kushtia.
On the way, a group of robbers carrying 10 to 12 bags boarded the bus from Hatikumrul intersection in Sirajganj at midnight.
"They took control of the bus after it reached Natiapara area in Tangail's Basail upazila and blindfolded passengers and the bus staff, tied their hands using ropes and looted valuables, including cash and gold ornaments from them," the OC said.
The perpetrators then gang-raped a passenger multiple times, the police officer said.
The robbers carrying sharp weapons, drove the bus and then left it on Tangail-Mymensingh highway at Roktipara in Madhupur upazila at around 3:30am, the OC said.
On information, a police team from Madhupur Police Station rushed to the spot, rescued the passengers and sent them to a local hospital, the OC said, adding that a case was filed in this connection with the police facility.
Police are trying to trace the robbers, the OC added.