A Rohingya camp leader was shot dead and two others were seriously injured in a gun attack by suspected armed militants of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) at a camp in Ukhiya on Tuesday evening.
The deceased, Abdul Halim, 45, was known as the head of the “Halim Group” operating inside the camps.
The incident occurred between 6:30pm and 7pm near Tarjar Bridge adjacent to Block-G of Camp-7 in the Kutupalong Rohingya camp.
According to camp sources, Halim, a resident of Block F-6 of Camp-7 and son of Badsha Mia, was also associated with the ARO group.
Two others – Mohammad Ullah, 35, and Mohammad Nur, 34, both residents of Block F-5- sustained gunshot injuries.
They were initially taken to an MSF-run hospital in Kutupalong and later shifted to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital after their condition worsened.
Witnesses said the attack took place when Halim and his two associates were returning to their shelter on a motorcycle from a nearby market. As they reached the bridge area between Camp-8 East (Balukhali) and Camp-7, assailants lying in ambush opened fire indiscriminately before fleeing the scene.
A Rohingya witness, Mohammad Ibrahim, said the attackers suddenly began shooting as the victims approached the bridge, leaving no time for anyone to react.
Local residents rushed the injured to nearby medical facilities, where Halim succumbed to his injuries around 8pm while undergoing treatment.
Confirming the incident, Mohammad Siraj Amin, commander of the 14 Armed Police Battalion (APBn), said law enforcement teams were deployed immediately to control the situation.
He added that drives were underway to identify and arrest those involved, and security across the camps has been intensified.
However, Officer-in-Charge of Ukhiya Police Station Mujibur Rahman said detailed information had not yet been formally received, adding that police were verifying the matter.
The incident has triggered panic in the Kutupalong camp and surrounding areas, prompting increased patrols and heightened surveillance by law enforcement agencies to prevent further violence.
