Tawhidul Islam, Cox's Bazar 

A joint force has rescued abducted Rohingya national Md. Hafiz Ullah 72 hours after he was kidnapped by armed criminals posing as members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. Prior to the rescue, RAB detained three individuals, including Md. Sumon Munshi — a former member of the Bangladesh Army who was dismissed from service in 2019 for alleged involvement in criminal activities. Weapons were also recovered in the operation.

These details were disclosed in a press release issued on Sunday afternoon by Assistant Superintendent of Police A. M. Faruk, Assistant Director (Law & Media) of RAB-15.

Among those arrested, Sumon Munshi is the son of Akbar Ali Munshi from Dumrakandi village, Rajpat Union, Kashiani Upazila in Gopalganj district. According to the press release, he has 11 cases filed against him in various police stations and was discharged from military service in 2019.

According to information from the release, on June 11 at around 11:00 PM, Md. Hafiz Ullah — son of Md. Rahim Ullah from Rohingya Camp-15 — was abducted by armed criminals identifying themselves as RAB personnel. With the assistance of Rohingya nationals Enayet Ullah and Nabi Hossain, the victim was lured from his residence and taken to the remote hills of Rangikhali in Teknaf's Hnila Union. The abductors later demanded a ransom of BDT 1.5 million from the victim’s family.

Upon receiving the report, RAB-15 established contact with the victim’s family and intensified surveillance in different areas. Acting on intelligence, a special RAB team conducted a raid on Friday afternoon at the residence of notorious gang leader Shah Alam in Rangikhali, arresting two suspects, Afridi and Abdul Gafur.

On Saturday afternoon, dismissed army soldier Md. Sumon Munshi was apprehended from Morichya Bazar in Ukhiya. Through Sumon, messages were sent to gang leader Shah Alam and armed criminals Rakib and Shikdar, instructing them to release Md. Hafiz Ullah. The gang, however, did not respond to the appeal.

Consequently, on Sunday, a joint operation involving 256 personnel from RAB, BGB, police, APBn, and the forest department was launched in the suspected deep forest hideout. After an intensive operation, Md. Hafiz Ullah was finally rescued 72 hours after the abduction. From the scene, a locally made firearm, three rounds of ammunition, a RAB uniform, and a walkie-talkie were recovered.

Legal proceedings are underway to hand over the detainees to Teknaf police station, according to officials.

Data from the Cox’s Bazar District Police and victim accounts reveal that in the last 17 and a half months, a total of 252 abduction incidents have taken place in various parts of Teknaf.