Nov 18, Anuradhapura: In a bizarre twist the four civilians who were abducted last night by suspected LTTE cadres at Rathmale in Horowpathana have been released this evening while a special search operation was undergoing.

Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekara said that the four civilians had reached the police station in the area after they were released.

According to the sources these civilians are sand miners in the Rathmale area.

Police said the kidnappers had detained a group of nine civilians first and then released five of them last night demanding them to bring back food and other essential items in exchange for the release of others.

The suspected group has handed the abductees Rs. 40,000 to purchase their needs.