Navy, police rescue kidnapped man in Teknaf, arrest three

A joint operation by the navy and police in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, led to the rescue of a kidnapped man and the arrest of three suspects.

Four firearms and seven rounds of ammunition were recovered from the scene.

The operation was conducted late on Friday (7 March) in the Balukhali area of Whykong union, said Teknaf Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Gias Uddin.

The rescued individual, Arefaul Islam Shuvo, is a resident of Monohardi upazila in Narsingdi. He had travelled to Teknaf in search of work when he was abducted.

Gias Uddin said the operation was based on intelligence that a person was being held hostage for ransom.

"As soon as the joint team reached the location, three to four individuals attempted to flee. After a chase, the main leader of the kidnapping ring, Helal Uddin, along with two associates, was arrested," he said.

There are multiple cases against Helal Uddin at Teknaf police station on various charges, including drug and arms smuggling.

The police later recovered Arefaul from Helal Uddin's house.

"Four locally made guns and seven rounds of ammunition were found buried near Helal Uddin's residence," the OC added.

According to police, Arefaul arrived in Teknaf on 3 March after being promised work by a man named Mujib, a resident of the area.

However, Mujib did not provide him with work and instead locked him in a room in Helal Uddin's house. The gang then demanded a ransom of Tk2.8 lakh from his family.

A case has been filed against the detainees under relevant laws, Gias Uddin said.

According to Cox's Bazar District Police and victims' accounts, 241 people have been kidnapped from different areas of Teknaf in the past 14 months, while 87 have been abducted from Ukhiya during the same period.