Notorious Rohingya criminal Shafi arrested with arms, ammunition in Teknaf

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested a notorious Rohingya criminal, Md Shafi, alias "Dakat Shafi," from Hajir Project hills area near Rohingya Camp No. 26 in Teknaf's Hnila union.

The arrest, made late last night (28 July), also led to the recovery of a large cache of arms, explosives, and crystal meth.

According to RAB-15 officials, Shafi, 28, son of Dil Mohammad from the C-block of the 26-number Rohingya camp, has at least 21 criminal cases filed against him, including murder, abduction, and arms-related charges.

In a press briefing held today (29 July) at RAB-15's Cox's Bazar office, commanding officer Lt Col Md Kamrul Hasan said the operation followed a month-long surveillance mission targeting the armed gang leader.

Based on intelligence, RAB launched a raid near the hills west of the camp, where Shafi and his aides were suspected to be hiding.

During the raid, the robbers tried to escape. As RAB gave chase, Shafi was apprehended, while his accomplices fired 4–5 rounds in an attempt to free him. RAB retaliated with three rounds of gunfire, said the RAB official.

Following Shafi's arrest, RAB recovered a one-shooter gun, two single-barrel shotguns, one LG, 10 anti-personnel mines, 10 detonators, 50 rounds of live rifle ammunition, 53 spent rifle cartridges, six empty shotgun shells, 769 grams of crystal meth (ice), and three grenades from a hidden arms cache in the hills.

"Shafi has long been running a heavily armed gang from the Rohingya camp. They had created a reign of terror across the Rohingya camps and nearby areas, routinely holding locals and residents hostage and controlling large swathes of hilly terrain," confirmed Lt Col Kamrul.

Shafi was handed over to Teknaf Police Station for legal action.