Two suspected arms dealers arrested in army raid in Chattogram's Boalkhali
The operation was conducted under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel Salahuddin Al Mamun, commanding officer of the Adhoc 48 Air Defence Regiment, and led on the ground by Major Md Russell, camp commander of the Boalkhali Army Camp.
Two suspected criminals were arrested during a special army operation in Boalkhali upazila of Chattogram early Saturday, with a cache of foreign firearms, ammunition and weapon-making equipment recovered from their possession.
The arrestees were identified as Salahuddin Rumi, 51, and Saiful Islam Bappi, 56.
The raid was carried out in the Bengura area following intelligence inputs, according to army sources.
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The operation was conducted under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel Salahuddin Al Mamun, commanding officer of the Adhoc 48 Air Defence Regiment, and led on the ground by Major Md Russell, camp commander of the Boalkhali Army Camp.
During the initial search, army personnel recovered four foreign-made shotguns, two foreign pistols, 13 rounds of ammunition and various tools used for manufacturing firearms.
Army officials said the suspects attempted to flee by jumping into a nearby pond after sensing the presence of troops. They were, however, surrounded from all sides and detained. A foreign pistol and some ammunition were seized at that stage.
Subsequent interrogation revealed that the two men had hidden additional weapons and ammunition at four separate locations. These included the ceiling of an abandoned house, a concealed compartment inside a wardrobe, beneath hay in a cattle shed, and under a pile of sand at a building under construction.
Weapons and ammunition were later recovered from all the identified locations.
Major Md Russell said Salahuddin Rumi faces six cases, including arms-related charges, while Saiful Islam Bappi is accused in four cases. Both men were previously involved in criminal activities linked to firearms, he added.
According to the army, the suspects were also engaged in manufacturing locally made firearms and supplying them to different criminal groups operating in Chattogram.
Following the operation, police from Boalkhali Police Station prepared a seizure list of the recovered items and took custody of the arrested men for further legal proceedings.
