United News of Bangladesh

Police have launched an investigation after the water supply at the Alinagar Police Outpost in Chattogram's Jungle Salimpur was suspected to have been contaminated with poison or another toxic chemical substance. The incident came to light on Sunday after three police personnel fell ill apparently after drinking water from the outpost. Chattogram Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Masud Alam said personnel on duty noticed unusual foam and a strong stench in the water being used at the joint forces camp. Similar signs were later found in the camp's water tank, while an empty container believed to have contained a poisonous substance was recovered from the area. "We cannot confirm yet whether it was poison, pesticide or any other chemical substance. The matter will be clear after receiving the laboratory report," he said. Mohammad Mohinul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sitakunda Police Station, said three camp members noticed white foam while pouring water into a glass but did not initially consider it suspicious and drank the water. They later detected a strong chemical smell and soon fell ill. The OC said the camp receives its drinking water through a pipeline connected to a nearby house. Investigators suspect someone may have tampered with the supply line and mixed a chemical substance into the water. Following the incident, water samples were collected and sent for laboratory testing, while the entire water tank was emptied and cleaned, he said, adding that the condition of the three affected police personnel is now stable and they are out of danger. "The matter is under investigation," the OC said. A temporary joint forces camp comprising personnel from the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been established in the Salimpur jungle of Sitakunda, an area long regarded as a hideout for criminal and militant groups, to strengthen law and order. On March 9, law enforcement agencies took control of the Salimpur jungle during a joint operation involving around 3,200 members of the Bangladesh Army, RAB, police and BGB. Previous operations had failed to secure the area, with police and government officials coming under attack during earlier attempts. On May 25, unidentified attackers targeted the joint forces camp under construction in the Alinagar area of Salimpur jungle, damaging it with an explosive device. Later, a case was filed with Sitakunda Police Station over the incident, naming 242 people and accusing another 150 to 200 unidentified individuals. However, the prime accused, Yasin, the alleged leader of the Yasin group, remains at large.

A gang of criminals attacked RAB and police camps at Jungle Salimpur, an area notorious for criminal activities in Sitakunda upazila in Chattogram, early Monday. Some armed members of the ‘Yasin Bahini’ surrounded the RAB camp and opened fire around 2:30 am, said Lieutenant Colonel Hafizur Rahman, commander of RAB-7. RAB members also returned fire in self-defence, he said. However, it was not immediately known whether anyone was injured in the incident. Later, joint forces launched a search operation in the area. The operation was still underway at the time of filing this report in the morning. Meanwhile, local sources said criminals also attacked the police camp in Alinagar of Jungle Salimpur at the same time. Additional law enforcement personnel were sent to the area and a joint operation is underway. Earlier, on January 19, RAB Deputy Assistant Director Motaleb Hossain was killed in an attack by criminals in the remote jungle area of Salimpur. For over two decades, Jungal Salimpur has served as a stronghold for criminals. Previous attempts to clear the area in 2017 and 2022 failed due to local resistance and other obstacles.

A joint operation is underway against terrorists at Jungle Salimpur in Sitakunda, an area notorious for criminal activities in Chattogram. Around 4,000 personnel from army, police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) started the operation around 5 am. Vehicles of the army, police water cannons and various firearms are being used in the operation. Chattogram District Police Additional Superintendent (Media) Md. Russel said the joint forces have surrounded Jungle Salimpur and are conducting searches inside for weapons and drugs.  “Several terrorists are reported to have been detained by afternoon though police have not yet confirmed specific details,” he added.  

A case has been filed in connection with the murder of a Rab official in a gun attack by armed criminals at Jungle Salimpur in Sitakunda of Chattogram. The case was filed against 29 identified and 150-200 unidentified people with Sitakunda Police Station on Wednesday night, said Shakila Yasmin Suchona, additional superintendent (Sitakunda Circle) of Chattogram Police. Yeasin, a suspected criminal and also a resident of Jungle Salimpur, was made the prime accused in the case. So far, three people - Zahid, Yunus and Arif- have been arrested in connection with the incident. Police are interrogating the arrestees, said Officer-in-Charge of Sitakunda Police Station, Mohinul Islam. Motaleb Hossain, a Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) of RAB-7 was killed and three others were injured in a gun attack by armed criminals during a drive to recover illegal arms in the hilly area of Jungle Salimpur in Sitakunda on January 19.

Noting that the Jungle Salimpur area in Chattogram has become a ‘safe haven’ for armed criminals, Director General of Rapid Action Battalion, AKM Shahidur Rahman, on Tuesday said hideout of terrorists will be dismantled soon.  “The terrorist den in Jungle Salimpur, which has become a hub of illegal activities, will be crushed and completely dismantled. This is our commitment,” the RAB chief said. The RAB DG came up with the remark while talking to reporters after attending the namaz-e-janaza of slain RAB officer Motaleb Hossain, held at RAB-7 headquarters in Patenga in the afternoon. Earlier on Monday, Motaleb Hossain, a Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) of RAB-7 was killed and three others were injured in a gun attack by armed criminals while on a drive to recover illegal arms in the hilly area of Jungle Salimpur in Sitakunda. Motaleb Hossain, a Nayeb Subedar in the Army on deputation at RAB, had embraced martyrdom in the line of duty, he said. Those who were responsible for the killing would be brought to justice and RAB will continue to monitor the case until the judicial process is completed, he added. Expressing deep sympathy for the bereaved family, the RAB DG said the loss suffered by Motaleb’s family is irreparable. RAB will take responsibility for his family and ensure that they do not become helpless in any way, he said. Referring to the Jungle Salimpur, RAB DG said it was unacceptable that the area has turned into a safe place for criminals. “Those living there illegally and those involved with illegal weapons will soon face action. A drive will be launched there,” he said. Since June–August 2024, the elite force arrested many terrorists and recovered a large cache of weapons. Every operation carries its own risks, said RAB DG. Mentioning Monday’s incident as an exceptional situation, the RAB chief said considering the circumstances and the potential risk to civilians, RAB members refrained from opening fire at that time. The entire incident would be thoroughly investigated and any shortcomings identified would be addressed to ensure more effective operations in the future, he said. The elite force already identified several individuals involved in the attack and they will be arrested, he added. RAB would continue to work with full force to maintain law and order in the country and carry out their duty to ensure public safety by taking risks, he said. CCTV footage circulating on social media shows RAB members arriving in two white microbuses, after which several people were gathered through loudspeaker announcements and carried out an attack on the force. The video also shows the microbuses being vandalised. A tense situation has been prevailing in the area after the incident. Additional police have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order situation.