Bus robbed in daylight on Teknaf-Cox's Bazar highway, 1 shot

A passenger bus was robbed in broad daylight on the Teknaf-Cox's Bazar highway in Cox's Bazar. One person was injured by gunfire during the incident. Allegations have also surfaced that the robbers looted approximately Tk 60 lakh from three bKash sales representatives (SRs) on board. However, law enforcement agencies could not immediately confirm the amount of money stolen.

The incident occurred around 1:45pm on Sunday (August 2) near the Damdamia 14 No. Bridge area in Teknaf upazila.

According to police and local sources, when a bus of Palaki Paribahan, travelling from Teknaf to Cox's Bazar, reached the Damdamia 14 No. Bridge area, a group of masked armed individuals descending from the hills blocked the road by placing a tree with nails on it. They then boarded the bus at gunpoint, held passengers hostage and carried out the robbery.

Sources said three bKash sales representatives were on the bus. They had withdrawn money from a border bank in Teknaf and were on their way to deliver it to various bKash agents in Hnila and Hoaikhyang areas. The robbers snatched the bag containing the money. Local sources claimed the bag contained approximately Tk 60 lakh. Md Arman (24) was shot in the attack.

Additionally, Sakib (21) and Ekram (22) were injured. All of them are residents of the Teknaf municipality area. Locals rescued them and admitted them to hospital. The seriously injured were sent to Cox's Bazar for advanced treatment.

Following the incident, police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Coast Guard personnel reached the scene and launched an operation. Joint searches were subsequently conducted in the surrounding hilly areas.

Teknaf Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam said police visited the scene immediately after receiving the news. The bus has been seized and brought to the police station. Joint operations are underway with police, BGB and Coast Guard to identify and arrest the robbers.