3 Rohingyas killed in ‘gunfight’ while smuggling Yaba in Ukhia

Three Rohingya drug smugglers have been killed in a 'gunfight' with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) while entering Bangladesh through the Ukhia border in Cox's Bazar.

The incident occurred at the Tulatoli border of Rajapalang union in Ukhia on Thursday morning. 

The deceased have been identified as Nur Alam, 45, son of late Zebar Malluk Molluk of Tumbru Konapara Rohingya camp in Naikhongchhari, Md Hamid, 25, son of Gora Miah of Balukhali Rohingya Camp-1, and Nazir Hossain (25), son of Syed Hossain, resident of Kutupalong Rohingya Camp-2.

Three lakh yaba pills, two locally-made pipe guns and five bullets were seized from the spot, said Lt Col Ali Haider Azad Ahmed, Cox's Bazar 34 BGB commander.

"Members of the Tumbro BOP of Cox's Bazar 34 BGB Battalion received information that some yaba traders might enter Bangladesh from Myanmar with a huge quantity of yaba," said Lt Col Ali Haider Azad Ahmed.

Under his lead, a 10-member patrol team from the BOP took position on a road about 50 yards west of the Tulatoli Joliler Goda Bridge at Rajapalang in Ukhia, he added.

"We challenged a group of 10/12 people coming towards Bangladesh through the hilly areas at around 4 am. They started firing at the patrol team. And we had to fire back in self-defense," said Lt Col Ali Haider. 

At one point, the unidentified yaba traders fled into the adjacent jungle. Later, three unidentified people were found lying on the ground and they were seriously injured, added the BGB commander of Cox's Bazar 34 BGB.

Yaba-like objects and locally-made pipe guns were seized from the spot. 

The on-duty doctor announced them dead after they were taken to Ukhia Upazila Health Complex. 

However, they identified themselves during initial interrogation on the way to the health complex, added Ali Haider.

"Two BGB members were injured in this incident. They were given first aid from Ukhia Upazila Health Complex," he further added. 

The dead bodies were sent to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. And legal processes were underway, said the BGB official.  

It is mentionable that since January 1 this year until today, 1,141,297 pieces of Burmese yaba pills were seized and 89 accused were held in the range of Cox's Bazar 34 BGB Battalion during anti-smuggling and anti-drug drives. 

Besides, nine of the yaba smugglers were killed in gunfights with the BGB. And most of them were Rohingyas.