4 arrested, including a top drug trafficker, following a shootout

The Special Response Battalion (SRB) has arrested four individuals, including a top-listed drug trafficker, following a shootout between two rival groups in Palangkhali, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, a conflict reportedly stemming from a dispute over drug trafficking.

The arrests were made during an operation conducted around 3:00 AM on Wednesday night in the Bottoli and Anjumanpara areas of Palangkhali Union. Authorities recovered two locally-made firearms, a gun barrel component, 41 live cartridges, and one spent shell casing.

This information was shared in a press release issued on Thursday afternoon (November 12) by A. M. Faruk, Assistant Director (Media) for the SRB-15 Cox’s Bazar Battalion.

The arrested individuals are Sakhawat Hossain, alias Munna, 27, Arfat Hossain, alias Jishan, 22, and Abu Taher, 35, all sons of Abdus Salam, a resident of Ward 9, Palangkhali Union, along with Mizanur Rahman, alias Mizan, 37, son of Syed Nur from the same area. Among them, Munna is a top-listed drug trafficker.

SRB Assistant Director A. M. Faruk stated that on November 11, at approximately 2:45 PM, a clash broke out between two groups near the Bottoli Bazar area in Palangkhali. During the altercation, several individuals were observed using locally-made weapons and opening fire. Following the incident, SRB personnel initiated intelligence-led surveillance to recover the illegal weapons and apprehend those involved.

He added that, based on the analysis of photographs and video footage of the incident, as well as intelligence reports, members of the SRB-15 (CPC-2 unit) carried out an operation in the Bottoli and Anjumanpara areas at 3:00 AM on Wednesday. Munna, Jishan, and Abu Taher were apprehended in nearby paddy fields and water bodies as they attempted to flee. Simultaneously, Mizanur Rahman was arrested during a joint operation with a Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) team.

He further noted that the arrested individuals have been handed over to the Ukhiya Police Station for the initiation of legal proceedings. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ukhia Police Station, Md. Atiqur Rahman Majumder, stated that following the exchange of gunfire, Sub-Inspector (SI) SM Golam Kibria, in-charge of the Balukhali police outpost, filed two cases: one under the Arms Act and another under the Speedy Trial Act. The four arrested individuals have been sent to jail by the court.

Notably, the gunfire incident last Wednesday caused panic in the Palongkhali area. Local business owners closed their shops as a security precaution. Upon receiving the information, police and members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.

-    AHSU/NS