The joint forces have launched a 24-hour operation in the surrounding areas of Jungle Salimpur in Sitakunda, Chittagong since dawn to suppress terrorism and recover illegal weapons. 10 terrorists have already been arrested in the operation. The operation will continue, said Additional DIG (Crime) of Chittagong Range Police Nazmul Hasan.

He informed reporters at the entrance of Salimpur around 11 am on Monday (March 9) after returning from the operation. However, there was no official announcement from the police about how many people were arrested and how much weapons were recovered.

A source with the operation said that 10 terrorists have been arrested. They have been placed in a field by law enforcement officers.

Earlier, 4,000 members of the police, RAB and army, including law enforcement officers, started a coordinated operation in different parts of the district at 5 am on the instructions of the Home Ministry. More than 3,000 members participated in the operation in the Jungle Salimpur area.

There have been allegations of terrorists’ presence, illegal weapons storage and hiding of people involved in various crimes in this mountainous and remote area for a long time. Sources said that the operation was launched in a planned manner based on intelligence information after several recent incidents. Among them, the law enforcement agencies are focusing on arresting the accused in the murder case of RAB officer Abdul Motaleb Bhuiyan. One of the accused in this case is top terrorist Yasin and his associates.

Sources said that the law enforcement agencies have been divided into several teams to conduct the operation. One team is searching the settlements below the hills. Another team is moving inland along the hilly path. Checkposts have been set up in advance on possible escape routes so that no one can leave the area after receiving news of the operation.

Regarding the operation, Additional DIG of Chittagong Range Police Nazmul Hasan told reporters that this operation is being conducted to destroy the hideouts of terrorists in the Salimpur jungle and recover illegal weapons. Some people have already been arrested and the operation is ongoing.

He also said that the issue of setting up a permanent camp of law enforcement agencies in the Jangal Salimpur area is being considered to maintain law and order in the area.

Law enforcement officials said that the search operation will continue by surrounding the entire area until the operation is over. In addition, the neighboring Bayezid-Faujdarhat Link Road has been closed. Several armored vehicles of the army are stationed around the road. In addition, members of the police, RAB, and intelligence agencies are also stationed at the entrance to Jangal Salimpur.