Timely intervention of police prevented daylight abduction of a woman health official in Nalanda on Tuesday.

Police said four youths travelling in a sports utility vehicle tailed the victim and attempted to abduct her when she was on way to the primary health centre near Deshna village in Nalanda around 11am.

The victim, accompanied by a colleague, raised an alarm. A patrol car of Ashthawan police station chased the men, who attempted to flee. However, the four persons were caught with the help of the residents.

A sub-inspector posted at Asthawan, Jitendra Kumar, said the woman had earlier lodged a complaint of sexual harassment with the police station concerned three days ago. Two of the arrested youths were made named accused in the FIR.

On Tuesday, four youths identified as Bhola Yadav, Rajiv Kumar, Abhishek Kumar and Ranjan Kumar were waiting near Jirayeen overbridge. They waylaid her and attempted to force her to board the vehicle at gunpoint.

On getting information, a team from the Ashthawan police station rushed to the spot. On seeing the police, the men tried to flee but were apprehended.

Nalanda superintendent of police S. Mohan Jain said one country-made pistol and two cartridges were recovered from the possession of the arrested persons. Two of the accused were said to be residents of neighbouring Sheikhpura district.

The SP added that the four suspects were being interrogated to ascertain the reason behind the attempted kidnapping.