Joint forces arrested a commander of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), with firearm and ammunition from Kutupalong Rohingya Camp-1 in Ukhiya on Wednesday morning.
The arrestee was identified as Zahid Hossain Lalu, 40.
Lt Col Saimon Sikder, commander of the army camp near Ukhiya Degree College, said acting on a tip-off, the joint forces launched an operation at 7am, surrounding a house where Lalu was believed to be hiding.
When the suspect attempted to flee, the forces pursued and apprehended him. The joint forces also recovered a foreign-made pistol and ammunition from Zahid during the operation, Lt Col Saimon added.
Zahid is an accused in several high-profile murder cases, including the killings of controversial Rohingya leader Master Muhibullah and DGFI officer Squadron Leader Rezaul Haque.
He is also accused of involvement in the 2021 attack on a madrasa in Camp-18, which left six students and teachers dead.
Lt Col Saimon Sikder said Zahid had long been a close aide and bodyguard to ARSA chief Hafiz Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi and was directly involved in various terrorist activities of the group in both Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Under his leadership, several Rohingya camps were reportedly targeted with killings, abductions, extortion, drug trafficking and arson.
Zahid has been handed over to Ukhiya Police Station for legal action, the army camp commander added.
