Soldier hurt in gunfight, 57 rescued, says ISPR

A Bangladesh Army soldier was injured in a gunfight with suspected human traffickers during a joint operation by the Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar on Thursday according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Three members of the trafficking gang were arrested and 57 people were rescued during the operation, the ISPR said in a Facebook post.

The joint operation was carried out in Teknaf as part of efforts to prevent human trafficking.

The ISPR confirmed the incident at around 9:30pm on Thursday but did not provide further details.

However, multiple sources said the operation was conducted this afternoon in a remote hilly area between Rohingya camps 24 and 26 in Leda, Teknaf.

The joint forces came under fire from members of a suspected human trafficking gang, triggering an exchange of gunfire that left casualties, they said.

A locally made one-shooter gun and a pistol were recovered during the operation.

Confirming the operation, 16 Armed Police Battalion (APBn) Commander Additional DIG Md Kawsar Sikder said a joint drive was conducted with the district police to recover firearms and rescue victims of human trafficking.

A member of the law enforcement agencies was injured during the operation.

Cox’s Bazar Superintendent of Police ANS Sajedur Rahman said the joint operation in the hills was still underway and further details would be available after it concluded.