RAB camp bulldozed, roads dug up in Jungle Salimpur to obstruct search operation
Jungle Salimpur has long been known as a remote area controlled by land grabbers and armed groups. According to the district administration, the area contains around 3,100 acres of government-owned land.
Highlights
- Miscreants allegedly attacked and vandalised a RAB training camp in Jungle Salimpur, Sitakunda early Monday.
- RAB said armed group "Yasin Bahini" used bulldozers and dug up roads and culverts to block law enforcers.
- A gunfight reportedly took place after attackers opened fire on the camp, according to RAB.
- Joint forces later detained around 20–25 people during an operation in the area.
- Authorities said no deaths were reported, though several law enforcers suffered minor injuries.
Miscreants allegedly used bulldozers to demolish parts of a RAB's training camp and other structures in Chattogram's Jungle Salimpur late at night, while roads were dug up at several points to obstruct raids in the area, according to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
The incident took place around 2am last night (25 May) in the Alinagar area of Jungle Salimpur in Sitakunda.
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RAB claimed that members of an armed group known as the "Yasin Bahini" carried out the planned attack. Several people were later detained during a joint operation of RAB, police and Armed Police Battalion (APBn) in the area.
Speaking to journalists, Lieutenant Colonel Hafizur Rahman, commanding officer of RAB-7 Chattogram, said, "The miscreants suddenly opened fire targeting the camp. In self-defence, RAB members also fired back."
He added, "Roads and culverts were dug up in different places to prevent additional forces from reaching the scene."
"Despite various obstacles, members of the law enforcement agencies managed to reach the spot and bring the situation under control. Although several miscreants managed to flee, a few were detained," he said.
RAB official Kamal Hossain later posted several videos of the operation on his Facebook account. The videos, published early today, showed roads in the Jungle Salimpur area being dug up.
In the footage, he said the obstructions had been created to prevent law enforcement vehicles from entering the area.
RAB officials said the damaged roads caused delays in reaching the scene, forcing members to travel by vehicle only up to a certain point before continuing on foot.
Jungle Salimpur has long been known as a remote area controlled by land grabbers and armed groups. According to the district administration, the area contains around 3,100 acres of government-owned land.
On 9 March, a joint force comprising around 3,200 members of the army, RAB, police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) conducted a raid. During that time also, a truck was placed across the road before entering Alinagar. Forces then removed the truck and proceeded further, but shortly afterwards discovered that a culvert on the road had been demolished.
However, law enforcement took control of the area following the operation. The authorities initiated plans to establish training centres and camps for RAB and police in the area. Officials said the attack targeted one such under-construction camp in Alinagar.
According to law enforcement agencies, although 22 people were arrested during the March operation, several key figures — including Yasin Bahini chief Md Yasin and Rokon Bahini leader Rokon Uddin — remain at large.
20–25 held in joint forces' drive
Joint forces in a drive have detained at least 20–25 people after an attack on a RAB camp by a gang of criminals at Jungle Salimpur in Sitakunda Upazila of Chattogram, reports UNB.
"Around 20–25 individuals were detained for questioning. During interrogation, if anyone is found involved in the attack, legal action will be taken. Those not involved will be released on bond," Lieutenant Colonel Hafizur Rahman, commander of RAB-7, told reporters at a media briefing on Monday.
He said no fatalities were reported during the exchange of gunfire between the joint force members and the armed group, although some members of the forces sustained minor injuries.
The RAB commander said Yasin and members of his armed group, comprising around 200–250 people operating in Jungle Salimpur, were involved in the attack.
He also claimed that the group vandalised nearly 70 percent of an under-construction joint forces camp in Alinagar, which was close to completion.
He added that communication difficulties hampered the operation.
The situation is now under control, he said.
Replying to a question over the law and order situation, he said RAB-7 members arrested 366 accused in murder cases over the past 15 months.
He also said that all accused in rape cases in the region have been arrested by RAB or police.
"We are doing our best from our end to maintain overall law and order," he added.
Earlier, on 19 January, RAB Deputy Assistant Director Motaleb Hossain was killed in an attack by criminals in the remote jungle area of Salimpur.
For over two decades, Jungal Salimpur has served as a stronghold for criminals.
Previous attempts to clear the area in 2017 and 2022 failed due to local resistance and other obstacles.
