A coordinated attempt by the notorious “Yasin Bahini” to reclaim control over Jungle Salimpur in Sitakunda was thwarted by law enforcement agencies early Monday morning.
The area, once described as a “state within a state” and a sanctuary for terrorists, had been under the control of security forces since a massive joint operation on March 9.
The confrontation began at approximately 1am on Monday following a two hour long gunfight when around 300 armed terrorists launched an attack on a temporary security camp in Alinagar, taking advantage of heavy rainfall.
Security forces had received intelligence at midnight that a group was moving a bulldozer from Chinnomul towards Alinagar. During the clash, the terrorists used the bulldozer to demolish the boundary wall of a temporary camp.
Law enforcement responded to the assault with 104 rounds of fire, using shotguns, Chinese rifles, and gas guns to repel the attackers.
The terrorists reportedly retaliated with heavy weaponry, including AK-47s and rifles, and detonated crude bombs (cocktails) while hurling stones.
Several members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) sustained minor injuries during the engagement.
Following the skirmish, a joint force operation was launched at 3:00 AM, resulting in detention of 31 individuals for questioning.
To hinder the arrival of reinforcements, terrorists had cut the access roads at four separate locations, forcing security personnel to proceed on foot.
Motive behind the attack the timing of the assault is believed to be linked to the scheduled visit of Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on May 31.
The Minister is slated to inaugurate a newly established police camp and inspect several special projects.
Chittagong District Superintendent of Police (SP) Masud Alam stated that the attackers intended to isolate security forces and prevent establishment of a permanent police presence in that particular region.
The hunt for Yasin Intelligence sources confirmed that the attack was led by Yasin, head of the “Yasin Bahini”.
Despite multiple attempts to apprehend him over the last 10 months, Yasin has managed to evade capture by retreating into dense, geographically challenging terrain of the jungle.
RAB-7 Commanding Officer (CO) Lieutenant Colonel Hafizur Rahman noted that the group relies on a network of local informants who alert them to the movement of security forces.
Historical context and local concerns Jungle Salimpur was originally cleared on March 9 in a high-profile operation led by the then Chittagong Range DIG (now RAB Director General) Md Ahsan Habib Palash.
That operation involved 3,183 personnel from the Bangladesh Army, District Police, Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP), RRF, APBN, BGB, and RAB, supported by three helicopters and seven executive magistrates.
However, recent violence has left the local community on edge. A resident, Amena Khatun, alleged that security personnel broke into her home and assaulted her grandson during the late-night raids.
Other locals claimed that terrorist groups continue to survive due to the alleged protection and financial interests of certain corrupt officials and public representatives.
As of 4:30 PM on Monday, the situation remains tense but under the control of law enforcement, with a heavy deployment of forces in the area. No formal cases have been filed yet as the interrogation of the detainees continues.
