Three cases filed over killing of soldier in Teknaf, 95 named accused, six detained

Three separate cases, including a murder case, have been filed over the killing of army soldier Md. Titas Sheikh, who was shot by armed human traffickers during a joint forces operation in Teknaf. A total of 95 people have been named as accused in these cases, including 27 in the murder case, 41 in the human trafficking case and 27 in the arms case.

In addition, 52 to 59 more unidentified people have been accused across the three cases. Six people were detained from the operation site in the same incident. Saiful Islam, officer-in-charge of Teknaf Model Police Station, confirmed the matter on Monday (November 9).

The officer-in-charge said that on November 5, during a joint forces operation at a traffickers' den in the remote hills of Rangikhali in Teknaf's Hnila union, soldier Md. Titas Sheikh of the army was killed by gunfire from the armed group. On behalf of the army and the police, three cases were filed as plaintiffs under the charges of murder, human trafficking and the arms act.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the incident took place at around 5pm on Thursday, November 5, in the rugged hills of Rangikhali. Intelligence information indicated that an armed trafficking gang of 15 to 16 people was holding around 120 Rohingya and Bengali citizens hostage on the hill.

On the basis of that information, a joint team of the army's 10th Infantry Division, the Border Guard Bangladesh and local police launched the operation. During the operation, the traffickers opened sudden fire after sensing the presence of the joint forces.

At one stage of the intense exchange of fire between the two sides, soldier Titas Sheikh was hit by a bullet in his left shoulder. His condition worsened due to excessive blood loss. He was rescued and given primary treatment at a nearby hospital.

He was later taken to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Ramu for advanced treatment, where the doctor on duty declared him dead.

On the night of November 8, Warrant Officer Minajul Islam of the army appeared at Teknaf police station and filed the murder case as plaintiff (case number 34/696). It names 27 people and accuses 16 to 17 more unidentified persons.

In the same incident, Sub-Inspector Saikat Majumdar of Teknaf Model Police Station filed two more cases as plaintiff. In the human trafficking case, 41 people are named and 20 to 25 unidentified people are accused. In the arms case, 27 people are named and 16 to 17 more unidentified people are accused.

Police said six people were detained from the scene during the operation and handed over to the police station. Two pistols and four rounds of ammunition were recovered at the time. After legal proceedings against the six detained people, they were sent to the Cox's Bazar court.