Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General (DG) AKM Shahidur Rahman has stated that the force’s members did not return fire during a terrorist ambush in Jungle Salimpur to ensure the safety of the public and their property.
He said that although RAB personnel have the right of private defence, they refrained from engaging in a gunfight as it could have resulted in civilian casualties.
The DG made the remarks while speaking to journalists on Tuesday after the first namaz-e-janaza of Subedar Abdul Motaleb, a RAB member killed in the attack.
The incident took place on Monday in the Jungle Salimpur area of Sitakunda in Chattogram, when terrorists opened fire on a RAB team. Abdul Motaleb was killed, while two other RAB members were injured in the clash.
An investigation committee has been formed to review the operation, with a focus on identifying any planning or strategic shortcomings. The DG said the probe would also examine why the intended objectives were not achieved despite the presence of more than 50 personnel during the raid.
Legal action is underway, with a case being filed over the attack. The DG said those responsible for the killing of Abdul Motaleb would face the maximum punishment through the judicial process, which RAB will closely monitor until its conclusion.
Abdul Motaleb is the 75th member of RAB to have been killed in the line of duty since the force was formed in 2004. The DG said RAB has taken full responsibility for the welfare of the deceased member’s family.
The namaz-e-janaza was attended by senior officials, including CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz, RAB-7 Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Md Hafizur Rahman, and Chattogram Additional District Magistrate Mahbubul Huq.
Earlier on Monday, a RAB team came under attack during an operation in Jungle Salimpur in Sitakunda, leaving one member dead and three others seriously injured. The injured members are currently undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital in Chattogram.
