Law enforcers launch drive to uncover robbers' hideouts in Gazaria following police camp shootout
Joint operation by RAB, police, river police and Coast Guard in Guagachhia, Gazaria of Munshiganj
Law enforcement agencies have launched a joint operation to uncover robbers' hideouts in the remote char areas of Guagachhia Union under Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj, following yesterday's armed attack on a newly established temporary police camp.
Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), police, river police and Coast Guard began the drive this afternoon (26 August) along the banks of the Meghna River.
On Monday, members of a river-based robber gang launched an armed attack on the temporary police camp in Jamalpur village, firing more than a hundred rounds at police.
Contacted today, Additional Superintendent of Police in Munshiganj Firoz Kabir said robber gangs have long been reckless in the area, prompting authorities to set up a temporary police camp in Guagachhia.
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"Angered by this, the attackers opened fire targeting the camp yesterday. Law enforcement agencies are continuing operations to eliminate them," he added.
During the shootout, police returned fire in self-defence, forcing the attackers to flee. The gunfight broke out shortly after 5pm near the Meghna River, close to the police camp.
Gazaria Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Anwar Alam Azad said, "Under Pias's leadership, five to six trawlers carrying at least 30-35 robbers opened fire on the camp. They also detonated four to five crude bombs. We returned fire, firing approximately 19 rounds. No police officers were injured, but I cannot confirm if any of the attackers were hit."
Munshiganj Superintendent of Police Mohammad Shamsul Alam said the robbers had likely come to extort money from riverside residents.
"The police presence prevented them from carrying out their plans. There was an exchange of fire, but no officers were harmed. We will take a stricter stance against them in the future," he said.
Some media reports, citing police sources, claimed that some of the weapons used by the robbers had been looted earlier from a police station.
Eyewitnesses said that around 5pm, members of the Noyon-Pias gang manoeuvred near the camp with five to six engine-run trawlers. Approaching the camp, they first detonated four to five crude bombs and then opened fire.
The police returned fire in self-defence. Witnesses reported that the robbers fired around 100 rounds, while the police responded with about 20. The gunfight lasted for over half an hour.
Locals said the remote char areas of Guagachhia Union are home to several active robber gangs. In recent months, clashes between rival factions, including Noyon–Pias and Lalu groups, have resulted in several deaths over disputes involving illegal sand mining, boat extortion, and territorial control.
To curb such activities, authorities established the temporary police camp in Jamalpur on 22 August. SP Shamsul told the media that the pirates have since been frustrated, as the camp has obstructed their operations.
