Teknaf, Oct 22 (V7N) — The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has arrested a member of an armed human trafficking and robbery gang and rescued six victims during an operation in the remote hilly area of Rajarchhara in Teknaf upazila, Cox’s Bazar.

The detainee has been identified as Md. Rubel, 20, son of Md. Hossain from Ward No. 1 of Rajarchhara, Teknaf.

The rescued victims include Russell, 17, son of Ziabur Hossain from Majherpara, Shah Porir Dwip; Shahriyaz Imon, 19, son of Sultan from Khuniapalong, Ramu; Md. Faisal, 17, son of Rafique from Jaliapalong, Ukhiya; Md. Ehsan, 16, son of Elias from Monkhali, Ukhiya; Nazim Ullah, 12, son of Hashim Ullah, and Shahidul Amin, 15, son of Zafar Alam, both residents of Rohingya Camp 9 in Balukhali.

The operation was conducted on Tuesday evening by a team of BGB Teknaf Battalion-2. Confirming the incident, BGB Teknaf-2 Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Md. Ashiqur Rahman said that acting on secret intelligence, the force raided the Rajarchhara hills and apprehended one armed trafficker.

During the raid, four locally made firearms and several rounds of ammunition were seized. Other members of the trafficking group managed to flee the scene.

BGB officials said the rescued victims had been lured with promises of work as construction workers and were later confined in the hills. The traffickers reportedly planned to send them illegally to Malaysia. The victims had been held captive for three days before being rescued by the BGB.

Legal actions are underway against the arrested trafficker, Lt. Col. Rahman confirmed, adding that the operation is part of BGB’s continued efforts to combat human trafficking and organized crime in the Teknaf border region.

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