The affected villages included Ruwan Jema, Yashi, Gasa Hula, Kurfan Danya, Rafin Maiki, Ruwa Rana and Barikin Daji.
The bandits had attempted to escape with the captives after demanding huge ransoms, but troops swiftly deployed both ground and air assets to the axis. On sighting aircraft, the bandits became disoriented and released the victims into the surrounding bushes.
Further bombardments in the area compelled the criminals to abandon all the hostages. This operation comes barely a week after devastating strikes on bandits' strongholds in Gyado Forest, killing over 100 fighters, including several notorious commanders.