A man was killed in a gunfight between smugglers and the Coast Guard in the Naf River at Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.
The Coast Guard identified him as a drug trafficker named Jalal Uddin, 35.
Sixteen individuals, including five Rohingya refugees and 11 Bangladeshi citizens, were detained with drugs and weapons during the operation.
The incident occurred at Naikshangdia near the mouth of the Naf River around midnight.
Coast Guard Media Officer Lt Commander Md Siamul Haque said that a fishing boat carrying drugs from Myanmar was spotted entering Bangladeshi waters. When the Coast Guard signaled the boat to stop, the smugglers tried to flee and opened fire.
The Coast Guard returned fire, targeting the engine room, which stopped the boat. Jalal Uddin, found injured on board, was taken to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex, where he was declared dead, he added.
A search of the boat yielded 10,000 yaba pills, three locally-made firearms, and three rounds of ammunition, the officer said.
Lt Commander Haque added that the detainees admitted to bringing drugs from Myanmar and dumping a large quantity into the Naf River upon seeing the Coast Guard. Efforts are underway to recover the dumped drugs. The seized items and detainees have been handed over to Teknaf Model police station.
Dr Pranoy Rudra from Teknaf Health Complex confirmed that the injured man was already dead when brought in.
Teknaf Model police station OC Muhammad Gias Uddin said that the body has been sent to Cox’s Bazar Hospital morgue for autopsy and cases will be filed against the detainees.
