In Cox's Bazar's newly formed Matamuhuri upazila, the Chakaria police station conducted two separate operations during preparations for a robbery, recovering a vast amount of weapons and bullets, and arresting six alleged robbers.
The recovered items include locally made double-barreled and single-barreled rifles, a shotgun, 825 rounds of rifle bullets, 55 rounds of pistol bullets, shotgun cartridges, and equipment for manufacturing arms and ammunition. This was announced by the Chakaria police station during a press conference on Monday afternoon. The recoveries were made on Sunday night from the Paschim Sonua Para and Halkacha Para areas of Badarkhali union in the upazila.
The arrested individuals are Rajib alias Shooter Rajib (26), Nomi Uddin alias Nomi Dakat (40), Jasim Uddin alias Josu Dakat (26), Md. Sagar Rana alias Shooter Sagar (20), Zahura Begum (45), and Shahar Banu (55).
Led by Chakaria police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Arifur Rahman, a police team walked two kilometers on foot to surround the residential house. Sensing the presence of police, several individuals attempted to flee, but five people were arrested from the scene while several other robbers managed to escape.
Police further stated that a locally made double-barreled rifle, a single-barreled rifle, and a shotgun were recovered from the five arrested individuals. In addition, 58 rounds of rifle bullets, 55 rounds of pistol bullets, two live shotgun cartridges, two empty cartridge shells, a cleaning rod, equipment for manufacturing arms and ammunition, and six mobile phones were recovered. Later, searching the pond behind the residence, a white plastic sack was recovered. Police claim that 767 rounds of rifle bullets were found inside the sack.
Including the 58 rounds recovered in the first operation, a total of 825 rounds of rifle bullets were seized across the two operations. During initial police interrogation, the detainees confessed to being involved in manufacturing, buying, and selling arms and ammunition, as well as renting out weapons to robbers. Police claimed to have found information regarding their involvement in highway and inter-district robberies in Chakaria and various other areas.
Police also stated that the recovered weapons and ammunition were planned to be used to terrorize the area, take people hostage, and commit robberies at fish enclosures and various other locations. Information regarding this was obtained during initial interrogation. Chakaria police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Arifur Rahman stated that the arrested individuals have multiple cases against them for robbery, murder, and other crimes. Separate cases under the Arms Act and for preparation of robbery and assembling for the purpose of robbery are in the process of being filed against them.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) for Chakaria Circle Md. Abdul Aziz said that based on secret information, six people were arrested in two separate raids and a massive amount of ammunition and bullets were recovered from them. Efforts are underway to identify and bring others involved in this incident under the law.
