Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-13) arrested a suspected smuggler and recovered a touchstone statue (Kosty Pathor), valued at over Tk1 crore, during a raid in Thakurgaon early Tuesday.
The operation was conducted at the residence of Lal Mia, 60, in Sukhanpukuri union under in Thakurgaon.
Acting on a tip-off, an operational team from the Rangpur-based RAB-13 unit carried out the raid at dawn and seized the ancient artefact.
According to a press release signed by Additional Superintendent of Police Biplab Kumar Goswami on behalf of the RAB-13 commanding officer, the estimated market value of the recovered statue exceeds Tk 1 crore,.
Following the recovery, a case has been filed against the arrestee under the Special Powers Act. Both the accused and the seized statue have been handed over to the concerned police station for further legal proceedings.
RAB officials reiterated their “zero-tolerance” policy regarding the smuggling of archaeological artefacts, stating that intelligence surveillance and operations will continue to prevent such crimes.
