Rangamati, April 10 (V7N) — Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recovered a cache of abandoned firearms, ammunition, and locally made weapons during a late-night operation in Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati district, officials said.
 
According to BGB sources, the expedition was conducted on April 9, 2026, at approximately 11:45 pm near the Jiptali Bridge area, based on intelligence inputs about suspected smuggling activities. The operation was led by Lieutenant Colonel Zahidul Islam Zahid, PSC, Commanding Officer of Marishya Battalion (27 BGB). The patrol team included Captain Amit Kumar Saha, Operations Officer, and Assistant Director Mohammad Hafizur Rahman, along with other BGB personnel.
 
During the suspect, 3 to 4 suspect smugglers approached the area. BGB members pursued them, but the suspects managed to flee into the deep mountain forests under the cover of darkness.
 
Subsequent searches of the area led to the recovery of several weapon and equipment left behind. The recovered items include one foreign-made 7.65 mm pistol (China, model CZ83), one round of live ammunition, nine empty bullet casings, a pistol carrying bag and cover, one locally made single-barrel gun with seven empty shells, five Chinese machetes (two large and three small), two locally made sharp cutlass, one iron hammer, one slingshot, 26 glass marbles, five steel marbles, and one old school bag.
 
BGB officials believe the smugglers were preparing to traffic a large consignment of yaba tablets and foreign cigarettes through the area. weapons recovered and tools were likely used in various criminal activities, including illegal smuggling operations.
 
Lieutenant Colonel Zahidul Islam Zahid stated that efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend those involved. He added that BGB continues to intensify intelligence surveillance and patrol operations in the region to curb smuggling, despite smugglers adopting new strategy.
 
He reaffirmed that such expedition will continue in the future as part of BGB’s commitment to maintaining security and preventing cross-border crimes.
 
END/AMR/SMA/