Teknaf, Nov 08 (V7N) – Joint forces have launched another major operation in the remote hills of Teknaf to dismantle human trafficking networks and destroy their hideouts and detention facilities.

The operation began at 7:30am on Saturday, November 7, in the rugged hilly areas of Leda and Rangikhali in Hnila Union, under Teknaf upazila. More than 150 personnel from the Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police are taking part in the operation, led by the Army's 10th Infantry Division.

On Thursday, November 5, joint forces rescued 57 people from a secret detention facility operated by alleged human traffickers in the same area and arrested five suspected members of the trafficking network.

During that operation, an exchange of gunfire took place between joint forces and armed traffickers. Army soldier Mohammad Titas Sheikh, 27, was shot and killed.

Following military formalities, he was buried with state honours at his family home in his village in Nagarkanda, Faridpur, on Friday evening.

The 57 rescued people were handed over to their family members at the premises of Teknaf Model Police Station on Friday. They included 51 Bangladeshi nationals and six Rohingya refugees.

Following the operation, reports emerged that three bodies were lying in the hills of Rangikhali. Several media outlets also reported the development.

Shahidul Islam, one of the rescued victims, said he had heard that several people were killed during an exchange of gunfire between two groups. He also claimed to have seen three bodies near the detention facility. However, he could not confirm whether the bodies belonged to members of the trafficking network or victims who had escaped from captivity.

Accounts from rescued victims have revealed disturbing details of deception, torture and hostage-taking at secret detention facilities in the hills.

Asaduzzaman, another rescued victim, said he had been lured to Cox's Bazar with the promise of a job before being taken to a secret hill hideout, where he was held captive for eight consecutive days. He said he had twice attempted to escape but failed.

According to Asaduzzaman, more than 50 people were held at the facility and preparations were underway to traffic them by sea. Armed men guarded the hideout, while the captives' mobile phones and personal belongings were confiscated, leaving them unable to contact anyone outside.

Cox's Bazar Superintendent of Police ANM Sajedur Rahman said, “We have received information that three bodies may be lying in the hills of Rangikhali. However, until they are recovered, we cannot confirm whether bodies are actually there or establish their identities.”

He said police were investigating the reports.

“The joint forces' operations will continue until the activities of the human trafficking networks are completely eliminated,” the police superintendent added.

According to local sources and accounts from rescued victims, remote hills in Teknaf have long been used by human traffickers as secret hideouts and detention facilities. People are allegedly lured there with promises of jobs or opportunities to travel abroad, then held hostage for ransom from their families or prepared for trafficking by sea.

The reports of three possible bodies emerging after Thursday's operation have prompted joint forces to intensify their activities across the hills.

END/MSI/SMA/