Cox's Bazar:Members of a joint force led by the Army's 10th Infantry Division have launched an intensified operation in the Teknaf upazila hills, Cox's Bazar district, targeting human trafficking hideouts. The operation commenced at 8 a.m. on Saturday in the hilly regions of Leda-Rangikhali under Hnila Union.
According to United News of Bangladesh, over 150 personnel from the Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and police are involved in the operation. This follows a recent raid on Thursday afternoon in the same area, where 57 individuals were rescued from a detention camp and five alleged human trafficking gang members were apprehended. During the raid, a gunfight occurred, resulting in the death of Army soldier Mohammad Titas Sheikh, aged 27.
Reports have surfaced about three bodies discovered in the hills during the operation. Cox's Bazar Superintendent of Police ANM Sajedur Rahman mentioned that the police are investigating these reports but have not yet confirmed the existence of the bodies. The ongoing operations aim to fully dismantle the trafficking networks.
Mohammad Titas Sheikh was laid to rest with state honors in Nagarkanda upazila, Faridpur, on Friday evening. The 57 rescued individuals, including six Rohingya refugees and 51 Bangladeshi nationals, were reunited with their families at Teknaf Model Police Station on Friday.
Shahidul Islam, one of the rescued victims, reported seeing three bodies near the detention facility during the gunfire exchange but could not confirm their identities. Other victims revealed they were deceived with false job promises and held captive in the hills. One victim, Asaduzzaman, recounted his captivity and the traffickers' plans to send them overseas by sea.