Police in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar arrested a dismissed member of the Bangladesh Army with locally-made and foreign firearms and various equipment. According to police claims, he is an associate of notorious border bandit leader Shahin in the Naikhongchhari border area.
Authorities also allege that he has connections with Myanmar’s rebel group, the Arakan Army.
Ukhiya Police Station OC Mohammad Arif Hossain said a raid was carried out in the Madhughona area of Haldia Palong Union in Ukhiya upazila at midnight on Monday.
The detainee has been identified as Md. Ashiq Mia (27), son of the late Monir Hossain from the same area. He was previously dismissed from the army, where he held the rank of sepoy.
Arif Hossain said that based on intelligence reports about a group of armed individuals gathered in a house in Madhughona for criminal activity, a joint team of army and police surrounded the suspected house. Sensing the presence of law enforcement, 3-4 suspects attempted to flee. One person was captured after a chase, while the others managed to escape.
“Later, a search of the house uncovered one foreign-made pistol with a magazine, one locally-made firearm, a pistol bullet, an army helmet, an Ansar force head cap, an iron chain, a book on military combat skills (Volume 2), and 70 grams of cannabis,” said the OC.
He further stated, “The detainee, Ashiq Mia, is a dismissed army member and an active associate of the notorious border bandit leader Shahin of the Naikhongchhari border, serving as his gunman. There are allegations against him of supplying food and other resources to the Arakan Army across the border.”
A case has been filed against the detainee under the relevant laws at Ukhiya Police Station, confirmed Mohammad Arif Hossain.
