Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has detained three Rohingya refugees along with two G-3 rifles, two country-made guns, ammunition, explosives, tasers, walkie-talkies, and various equipment following a special operation in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.
An easy-bike used to transport the weapons and equipment was also seized during the drive.
The operation was conducted at around 10:30am on Sunday in Leda Bazar area of Hnila Union under Teknaf Upazila by Teknaf Battalion (2 BGB).
The detainees have been identified as Md Usman Belal, Md Muslim, and Md Ansar Ali. Among them, Usman Belal and Ansar Ali are residents of Kutupalong Rohingya Camp No. 1, whilst Md Muslim is a resident of Mochani Rohingya Camp No. 26.
According to the BGB, based on their own intelligence, information was received that a consignment of heavy weapons would be handed over to an armed robber gang residing in a Rohingya camp via Leda Bazar in Hnila Union.
Acting on this information, under the planning and direction of the Commanding Officer of Teknaf Battalion, a BGB operational team took up strategic positions in Leda Bazar area at around 10am.
Later, at around 10:30am, BGB members signaled three men passing through Leda Bazar on a suspicious easy-bike to stop. The presence of metallic objects inside a sack on the vehicle was detected using a metal detector.
Subsequently, the three individuals along with the easy-bike were taken to Leda Border Outpost (BOP) for a search, where weapons, ammunition, explosives, and various equipment were recovered hidden inside potato sacks.
The items seized by the BGB include two G-3 rifles, one large country-made single-barrel gun, one small country-made single-barrel gun, 42 rounds of ammunition, three tasers, six walkie-talkie sets, one magazine, four kilograms of explosive substances, 25 zarda containers, 25 rolls of red scotch tape, one easy-bike, two Android mobile phones, and one button mobile phone.
Commanding Officer of Teknaf Battalion (2 BGB), Lieutenant Colonel Md Hanifur Rahman Bhuiyan, said, “BGB is always alert and active to prevent all types of organised crime, including the smuggling of weapons and explosives in the border area.”
“To thwart illegal arms consignments and ensure public safety, Teknaf Battalion’s intelligence surveillance, regular patrols, and co-ordinated operations with law enforcement agencies will continue,” he added.
