Photo : Collected
The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) has become a terror within the Cox's Bazar Rohingya camp. A wave of murders, abductions, robberies, and arson attacks has created an unprecedented reign of terror throughout the camp.
Furthermore, ARSA now possesses a stockpile of modern weapons, including those typically used by armed forces on the battlefield. These weapons are being concealed in hideouts built within the dense forests of Ukhiya. Last Tuesday, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) conducted an operation after discovering the hidden cache of weapons. A significant quantity of arms was recovered during the operation.3.5
Law enforcement officials and security analysts say many of the weapons looted by the Myanmar army in its battle with the Arakan Army across the border are now in ARSA's occupations. And they are stockpiling these weapons.
Security analyst Major General (retd) Abdur Rashid said, “These weapons in their hands are a threat to our security. I've said it before and I'll say it now, they are becoming poison for us now. It should be brought under speedy control through strict vigilance, regular raids.”
He said, for a long time, domestic and international syndicates have been involved in various conspiracies to destabilise the region. But the vigilance of our intelligence agencies, the operations of the law enforcement forces did not allow the situation to deteriorate in that sense. But the ongoing conflict in Myanmar has increased the concern as the weapons are getting into the occupation of these militant groups.
It is known that ARSA's terrorist group is the current panic of the Rohingya camp. They are involved in various criminal activities including murder, kidnapping, robbery, extortion, arson and drugs, with a focus on spreading dominance.
If anyone opposes ARSA's activities, they are mostly kidnapped and killed. Rohingya leader Master Mahibullah was brutally murdered by ARSA in 2021 for working for the resettlement of Rohingya citizens. Also, in 2022, a senior officer of the intelligence agency was killed in an attack by ARSA during a joint anti-narcotics operation by Police and RAB. A RAB member was seriously injured in that operation. At least 64 people have been brutally killed in 2023 and 16 in 2024 so far by ARSA due to various reasons including dominance in Rohingya camps.
According to RAB-15 sources, special intelligence activities and surveillance are on around the Rohingya camp. They are conducting anti-terrorist operations and monitoring for crime control at various times. ARSA Military Commander Hafez Noor Mohammad, Finance Secretary Mawlana Mohammad Yunus, Gun Commander Rahimullah Musa, Finance Coordinator Mohammad Ershad alias Noman Chowdhury and Abu Tayeb, Killer Group Chief Noor Kamal alias Samiuddin and Intelligence Cell Commander Osman Ghani were arrested by RAB through various anti-terrorist operations was arrested.
Also, a total of 110 ARSA terrorists were arrested, including the head of the logistics branch, the head of the song group, the head of the finance branch and Akiz, the bodyguard of Arsa chief leader Ataullah was arrested.
At the same time, 51.71 kg of explosives, 12 foreign and 53 domestic firearms, 153 rounds of bullets, cartridges, 67 rounds of empty shells, 04 IDs and 35 cocktails were recovered from their possession. Also, 5 grenades, 3 rifle grenades, 10 locally hand-made grenades, 13 cocktails, 1 foreign revolver, 9 rounds of 9mm pistol ammunition, 1 LG and 3 12-bore cartridges were recovered on Tuesday.
RAB-15 captain Lt Colonel HM Sajjad Hossain said, the weapons that we recovered last Tuesday are modern weapons. They can also be used in battle.
In response to a question, he said, our intelligence unit is always alert. Besides, our operation to arrest ARSA terrorists is ongoing.
Additional Superintendent of Police of Cox's Bazar Rafiqul Islam said that there is a multi-dimensional security system centered on the camp. Apart from the district police, RAB, armed police and other law and order forces and intelligence personnel have been deployed. Arsa has deep forest-centered activity there. We are also working on the source of the weapons recovered from them.
In response to a question, he said, it is always a matter of concern if these types of weapons used in war are found in the hands of militant organizations. But we also take effective measures.
Messenger/Fameema
