Joint forces launch fresh crackdown on human trafficking ring in Teknaf
A fresh joint-forces crackdown is under way at a human trafficking ring's hideout in the remote hills of Teknaf in Cox's Bazar. The operation began at 7:30am on Saturday (7 November) in the Leda-Rongikhali hilly area of Hnila union, led by the Army's 10 Infantry Division. More than 150 members of the Army, Border Guard Bangladesh and police are taking part.
Earlier, on Thursday afternoon (5 November), a joint operation in the remote hills rescued 57 people from captivity. Five members of the human trafficking ring were arrested at the time.
During the operation, joint-forces members exchanged gunfire with the traffickers. Army soldier Mohammad Titas Sheikh (27) was killed by the traffickers' gunfire. On Friday evening, after formal military honours, he was buried with state honours in his home village of Nagarkanda in Faridpur.
Meanwhile, on Friday the 57 rescued victims were handed over to their families at the Teknaf Model Police Station premises. Among them were six Rohingya and 51 Bangladeshi nationals.
The same day, various media reported that three bodies were lying on the hill. Shahidul Islam, freed from captivity, told journalists that several people were killed in the gunfight between the two sides. However, he was not sure whether the dead were members of a robber gang or victims who had fled the captivity. He said he saw three bodies lying near the hideout.
In addition, statements from several rescued people revealed the traffickers' deception and the picture of captivity.
Victim Asaduzzaman said he was lured to Cox's Bazar with the promise of a job and then confined in a hideout in the hills. He was held captive there for eight days and tried to escape twice without success.
Asaduzzaman added that more than 50 people were held in the captivity, and preparations were being made to traffic them by sea. Armed men guarded the hideout, and the captives' mobile phones and personal belongings were taken away.
Cox's Bazar Superintendent of Police A N M Sajedur Rahman said information had been received that three bodies were lying in the Rongikhali hills, but until they are recovered it cannot be confirmed whether the bodies are actually there. He said they were working to find them.
The police superintendent said the joint operation will continue until the human trafficking ring's activities are eliminated.
Security has been strengthened in the area as the joint-forces operation continues around the trafficking ring's hideout in Teknaf's hilly region. Officials said further information will be shared as the operation progresses.
