67 arrested, large cache of arms, drugs seized in 'Operation First Light' on Padma River's char
A total of 10 firearms, two locally made guns, six pistols, 24 rounds of ammunition, five motorcycles, and a large quantity of drugs were seized during the drive, says DIG Shahjahan
A joint force, including members of police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Armed Police Battalion (APBn), conducted a 12-hour special operation titled 'Operation First Light' on the remote chars of the Padma River yesterday (9 October).
During the raid, a total of 67 people, including members of the notorious 'Kakon Bahini' and 10 other alleged armed gangs from Rajshahi, Natore, Pabna, and Kushtia, were arrested, Rajshahi Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mohammad Shahjahan said at a press briefing at his office.
A total of 10 firearms, two locally made guns, six pistols, 24 rounds of ammunition, five motorcycles, and a large quantity of drugs were seized during the drive, he added.
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"The operation was launched to curb the long-standing criminal activities of armed gangs that have dominated the riverine areas of the Padma. These groups have been involved in killings, abductions, extortion, and other crimes for years," he said.
"The operation was aimed at ensuring the safety of people living along the river and ending the cycle of terrorism, drug trafficking, arms trading, and extortion," the DIG added.
From Kushtia, law enforcers also recovered engine-driven boats, speedboats, and metal cylinders used to store weapons, he said.
According to police, the chars of the Padma River have long been controlled by several armed groups, including the Kakon Bahini, Tuku Bahini, and Said Bahini. These gangs have reportedly terrorised locals through killings, land grabbing, smuggling, and drug trading.
The operation began early yesterday and continued until noon, with around 1,200 members of police, RAB, and APBn participating.
The crackdown follows a violent incident on 27 October, when two men, Aman and Nazmul, were killed in a gunfight with Kakon Bahini members over control of kans grass in Rajshahi's Bagha. A member of the gang was also killed in that clash.
Earlier, Kakon Bahini members were seen staging armed parades on the Padma River in large boats and speedboats, allegedly seizing sandbeds, kans fields, and croplands.
Numerous allegations of shootings, murders, abductions, and extortion have since been raised against the gang.
DIG Shahjahan said that Operation First Light marks the first major step toward freeing the Padma char areas from criminal dominance.
