Trafficking attempt foiled: 21 rescued in Teknaf hills

The Coast Guard and Navy have rescued 21 people, including women and children, who were being held for trafficking to Malaysia. The operation took place in the remote hills of Baharchhara, Teknaf.

Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq on Thursday said that authorities received reports that several individuals were being confined in a house near Karachipara Ghat, Teknaf, with the intent to traffic them by sea. Acting on this information, the Coast Guard and Navy launched a joint operation and successfully freed all 21 people.

Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq added that the traffickers fled when law enforcement arrived. No arrests were made during the operation, but intelligence efforts to locate and apprehend the smugglers are ongoing.

The rescue underscores ongoing efforts by Bangladeshi authorities to curb human trafficking, particularly targeting routes to Malaysia.