A seven-hour joint forces operation was conducted from early morning to midday in the crime-prone Jungle Salimpur area of Sitakunda upazila in Chittagong on Monday, detaining 15 people. Authorities said additional security forces have been deployed in the area, adding that the situation is now under control.
Officials from the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police said the operation is ongoing to arrest alleged mastermind Yasin, accused of orchestrating the recent attack.
RAB-7 Chittagong Commander Lt Col Hafizur Rahman told Dhaka Tribune that the drive began at dawn and ended around 1:00pm. “Around 15 people have been detained in connection with the incident. The situation is under control, and additional forces have been deployed to ensure security,” he said.
He said armed miscreants launched a sudden attack on a joint forces camp around 1:00am on Sunday, opening fire on RAB personnel. Law enforcement personnel retaliated in self-defence, triggering an exchange of gunfire.
The attackers also damaged roads and culverts in multiple locations to obstruct reinforcements. Despite the blockade, additional units reached the area and brought the situation under control. Some attackers fled into nearby hills, while others were detained.
Chittagong Superintendent of Police Md Masud Alam said Jungle Salimpur has long been a stronghold of criminal groups and vested interests. “This is linked to financial interests worth crores of taka. As they are losing control, they are attempting to create unrest. However, we will resist such attempts,” he said.
He added that a large number of law enforcement personnel have been deployed in the area, with reinforcements to be sent if necessary.
On alleged mastermind Yasin, the SP said investigators believe he has recently become active in the area and may have backing from others. “We are investigating to identify those involved and bring them under the law as soon as possible,” he said.
According to RAB and local sources, a group identified as the “Yasin group” attacked a newly established joint forces camp in the Alinagar area of Jungle Salimpur around 1:00am on Sunday. The attackers used firearms as well as excavators and bulldozers to damage parts of the camp.
The armed confrontation reportedly lasted nearly two hours. Reinforcement teams faced difficulties reaching the site after roads were cut off, forcing them to travel on foot through hilly terrain. By the time additional forces arrived, the attackers had fled.
Authorities said Jungle Salimpur has long been under the influence of land grabbers and criminal groups operating on government khas land. Following the killing of a RAB officer during an operation on January 19, a large-scale joint forces drive involving around 4,000 personnel was conducted on March 9 to bring the area under control. Despite the establishment of a temporary camp, it was later attacked, leading to the latest escalation.