RAB DG vows crackdown on terror hideouts in Jungle Salimpur after officer's killing
RAB Deputy Assistant Director Md Motaleb Hossain Bhuiyan was killed in a coordinated attack during an arms recovery operation at Jungle Salimpur yesterday afternoon.
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman has declared that terror hideouts in Chattogram's Jungle Salimpur will be dismantled through legal action and sustained operations.
He issued the warning today (20 January) at the RAB-7 headquarters in Chattogram after attending the Namaz-e-Janaza of Deputy Assistant Director Md Motaleb Hossain Bhuiyan, who was killed in a coordinated attack during an arms recovery operation at Jungle Salimpur yesterday afternoon.
Wrapped in the battalion's flag, Motaleb's coffin was laid to rest amid tearful farewells from family members, colleagues and fellow officers. The atmosphere was heavy with grief as RAB personnel stood in solemn tribute to the fallen officer.
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Motaleb Hossain Bhuiyan, who joined RAB-7 after serving in the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), was leading a team in the remote forested hills of Jungle Salimpur when the unit came under a sudden and organised attack by armed assailants. He died on the spot, while three other RAB members were critically injured.
The injured officers are currently receiving treatment at Chattogram Combined Military Hospital. At least one of them remains in critical condition, according to officials.
The killing has prompted heightened alert across law enforcement agencies. Senior RAB officials rushed to Chattogram following the incident, with the force's top command signalling a tougher approach to dismantle armed groups operating in the area.
Located around 12 kilometres from Chattogram city and bordering Sitakunda and Hathazari upazilas, Jangal Salimpur is a vast and rugged hilly region spanning roughly 3,100 acres. Over the past four decades, the area has become notorious for armed groups involved in land grabbing, hill cutting, drug trafficking and illegal plot trading.
Most residents of the settlement are landless and displaced people, but law enforcement officials say several organised criminal groups have established parallel armed structures, restricting access to outsiders without identification. At least five killings, including that of a RAB officer, have been reported in the area over the last 15 months.
Previous attempts by law enforcement agencies to conduct operations in Jangal Salimpur have repeatedly faced violent resistance. Officials from the district administration, the Department of Environment, police and journalists have all been attacked during earlier drives.
Chattogram District Police Additional Superintendent Mohammad Russell said a murder case is being prepared in connection with the latest attack.
"Operations are ongoing to identify and arrest those involved," he said.
Authorities say coordinated action will continue until the armed groups entrenched in the area are dismantled and control is restored.
