Joint operation in Sitakunda: 15 held, weapons and explosives seized

Law enforcement agencies have arrested 15 individuals during a large scale joint operation in the Jungle Salimpur area of Sitakunda upazila in Chattogram, as authorities move to dismantle long standing criminal networks in the area.

The operation began at 6:00am on Monday under instructions from the Home Ministry and is scheduled to continue until Tuesday afternoon, according to officials. Nearly 4,000 members of the army, Rapid Action Battalion RAB and police took part in the operation.

The deployment included around 800 personnel from Chattogram Metropolitan Police and 700 members of the Range Police, alongside units from the army and RAB. Helicopters were seen patrolling overhead, while armoured personnel carriers and dog squads were used on the ground to navigate the rugged terrain.

Sources said suspected criminals attempted to obstruct the operation by abandoning a truck and damaging a culvert inside the hilly area to slow the advancing forces. Security personnel later cleared the obstructions and proceeded with the operation.

Chattogram Range DIG Md Ahsan Habib Palash said two temporary camps have been set up in Jungle Salimpur to maintain law and order. One camp will be operated by Bangladesh Police and the other by RAB to prevent criminals from regrouping.

He noted that since around 2003, an organised group had been illegally preparing land documents and occupying and transferring land in the area in violation of government regulations. 

Over time, the area became so risky that even law enforcement agencies were reluctant to enter. Previous attempts to conduct operations there had failed, he said, adding that this was the fifth operation and the first to succeed on such a scale.

Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr Md Ziauddin said the removal of entrenched criminal obstacles has paved the way for the implementation of government development projects in the region. He added that coordinated action by law enforcement has created an opportunity to accelerate planned development activities.

Authorities said the primary objective of the drive is to dismantle the network of listed criminal Sajjad Ali Khan, also known as Boro Sajjad. Several armed groups are believed to control parts of Jungle Salimpur, including the Yasin, Rokon and Ridwan groups, with the Yasin group considered the most dominant.

Located about 25 to 30 minutes from Chattogram city, the 3,100 acre hilly area north of Bayezid Link Road is home to an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 people living in roughly 20,000 to 25,000 houses. Many residents migrated from other parts of the country.

The remote and elevated terrain has long made the area  difficult for law enforcement to access, allowing criminal groups to establish strongholds. Tensions escalated earlier this year when RAB 7 came under attack on January 19 during a drive to arrest armed suspects. Assailants reportedly chased RAB vehicles, vandalised them, opened fire and assaulted officers, killing Deputy Assistant Director Motaleb Hossain Bhuiyan and injuring three others.

Officials said the ongoing operation is aimed at restoring state control, ensuring public safety and preventing further violence in the area.