Teknaf Police Arrest Nahid With Four Firearms, 79 Rounds

Police in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, have arrested Abdul Khaleque, also known as Nahid, 31, during a special operation and recovered four firearms, 79 rounds of ammunition and an unregistered CNG-powered auto-rickshaw from his possession.

Police said Nahid is an accused in several cases involving murder, abduction, firearms, narcotics and robbery. He is also wanted under multiple arrest warrants and had allegedly been evading arrest.

The arrest took place at around 1.45am on Monday (10 August) in the Leda Moulvipara area of Ward 8 under Hnila Union in Teknaf. According to police, Nahid was intercepted on a brick-paved road in front of a shop known locally as Kalu’s Shop, with assistance from local residents.

Police said Nahid was travelling in a numberless CNG auto-rickshaw when local people became suspicious of his movements and chased him. Officers subsequently arrived at the scene and detained him. Five other unidentified individuals who were reportedly with him managed to flee before police could apprehend them.

A search following the arrest led to the recovery of a pistol with a magazine containing two rounds of ammunition. Police also recovered three locally made single-shot firearms, 69 rounds of rifle ammunition and 10 rounds of pistol ammunition.

The total recovery therefore comprised four firearms and 79 rounds of ammunition. Police also seized a white-coloured ‘Anglet’ and the unregistered CNG auto-rickshaw in which Nahid was allegedly travelling.

Teknaf Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam confirmed the arrest on Tuesday (11 August). He said Nahid faces a total of 16 cases over allegations including murder, abduction, firearms offences, narcotics-related offences and robbery.

According to the officer, some of the cases are still under investigation, while others are currently being heard by the courts. Nahid also has two additional arrest warrants against him, police said.

The recovery of multiple firearms and ammunition has led police to pursue legal action under the country’s firearms law. A case has been filed at Teknaf Model Police Station against Nahid and the five unidentified individuals who allegedly fled the scene.

Police said efforts are continuing to identify and arrest the absconding individuals. The authorities are also expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the possession and movement of the recovered firearms and ammunition as part of the investigation.

The arrest comes amid continued law-enforcement operations in Teknaf, an area where police regularly conduct operations against individuals wanted in criminal cases and against the illegal possession and movement of firearms and narcotics. However, the allegations against Nahid remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.