Chattogram: Joint forces have apprehended at least 20-25 individuals in a drive following an assault on a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) camp by a group of criminals in Jungle Salimpur, located in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram. The detentions occurred after an armed confrontation between the joint forces and the perpetrators, who are part of an armed group led by an individual named Yasin.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Lieutenant Colonel Hafizur Rahman, the commander of RAB-7, addressed the media on Monday, confirming the detentions and the ongoing interrogation process. He stated that legal action would be pursued against anyone found involved in the attack, while those not implicated would be released on bond. The commander noted that although there were no fatalities, some joint force members sustained minor injuries during the exchange of gunfire.
Rahman identified Yasin and his group, comprising approximately 200-250 individuals, as responsible for the attack. He reported that the group managed to vandalize about 70 percent of a nearly completed joint forces camp in Alinagar. The operation faced challenges due to communication difficulties, but the situation is currently under control.
In response to questions about regional law and order, Rahman highlighted that RAB-7 has arrested 366 individuals accused in murder cases over the past 15 months. He also mentioned that all suspects in regional rape cases have been apprehended by RAB or police, emphasizing ongoing efforts to maintain law and order.
The Jungle Salimpur area has been a notorious criminal stronghold for over two decades. Efforts in 2017 and 2022 to clear the area were unsuccessful due to local resistance and other challenges. Earlier this year, on January 19, RAB Deputy Assistant Director Motaleb Hossain was killed in a criminal attack in the remote jungle area, underscoring the persistent challenges faced by law enforcement in the region.