Case filed over soldier Titas murder, six arrested including prime accused

A case has been filed naming 27 people, four days after soldier Md Titas Sheikh was killed in firing by human traffickers in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar. Another 17 unnamed people have also been made accused in the case.

Law enforcement has arrested six people named in the first information report, including the prime accused, Mohammad.

Warrant Officer Minhazul Islam of the army filed the case at Teknaf police station early on Monday morning. Mohammad, a resident of Rohingya camp No. 24 in Teknaf, has been made the prime accused in the case.

In the afternoon, Md Saiful Islam, officer-in-charge of Teknaf police station, said, 'Warrant Officer Minhazul Islam of the army filed the FIR at the police station early on Monday as the complainant in the case over the killing of soldier Titas Sheikh. Mohammad, a Rohingya, has been made the prime accused, naming 27 people. In addition, 17 more unnamed people have been made accused. The police have registered the case and started the initial work of investigation.'

Alongside Rohingyas, several Bangladeshi citizens have also been made accused in the case. The prime accused, Mohammad, was arrested while trying to flee during the operation on the day of the incident.

OC Saiful Islam said, 'The case has been filed bringing charges under three separate sections — murder, human trafficking and the arms act. Six people named in the FIR, including the prime accused, have already been arrested. Alongside investigating the incident, the police operation to arrest the other accused in the case continues.'

Last Thursday, joint forces raided a den of human traffickers in the deep hills of Rangikhali area of Hnila union in Teknaf. During the operation, there was an exchange of fire between the armed human traffickers and members of law enforcement. Soldier Md Titas Sheikh was shot dead at that time.

Four people suspected of involvement in human trafficking were arrested from the spot during the operation. The joint forces rescued 56 people who had been held hostage for trafficking.

The next day, Friday, joint forces arrested two more people suspected of involvement in the same incident. Two foreign pistols, four bullets and several pieces of equipment were recovered from the arrested persons.