Attack on RAB in Chattogram, one killed

One officer from the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was killed after members of the elite force came under attack by miscreants during an operation in Jangal Salimpur, Sitakunda, Chattogram. The critically injured officer succumbed to his wounds while undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH).

Reports indicate that three more RAB members have been held captive at the scene. Additional forces have been deployed to bring the situation under control.

The attack took place on Monday afternoon, January 19. As of around 6:15 pm, when this report was being filed, additional RAB forces were conducting operations at the site to rescue the detained members. Two senior officials from Chattogram RAB and Chattogram Police confirmed the information to a media.

Jangal Salimpur covers an area of approximately 3,100 acres. According to district administration sources, the market value of land in this area adjacent to the link road ranges from Tk 9 to 10 lakh per decimal. Based on this, the estimated value of the occupied government khas land is around Tk 30,000 crore. This massive economic interest has long fueled clashes, killings, and terrorist activities in the area.

Following the political change in the country on August 5 last year, armed clashes over control of Jangal Salimpur intensified further. Several killings occurred as a result, all linked to hill occupation and dominance. Most recently, one person was killed in a gunfight between two groups in the area. The following day, two journalists were attacked by terrorists while collecting news there.

Previously, the administration has faced repeated attacks while conducting eviction drives and operations to stop hill cutting in Jangal Salimpur. On September 14, 2023, at least 20 people—including an executive magistrate, a police station OC, and police personnel—were injured while returning from an eviction operation. Similar attacks on RAB, police, and the Department of Environment also occurred multiple times in 2022.

Law enforcement officials said the geographical location of the area allows criminals to receive advance alerts through lookouts as soon as security force vehicles enter. Subsequently, gunfire, cocktails, bricks, and stones are hurled from the hills, making it extremely difficult to control the situation through isolated operations.

Although there are plans to implement at least 11 major projects—including a prison and an IT park—on government khas land in Jangal Salimpur, none have progressed due to the failure to recover the land.