Six Children Abducted from Playground in Teknaf

In a shocking incident in Teknaf, six children were abducted by armed assailants while playing in Baharchhara, a remote area of Cox’s Bazar district. Although two of the children managed to escape, four remain in the hands of the kidnappers.

The abduction occurred on Sunday evening at approximately 6:00 pm in South Shilkhali East Para of Baharchhara Union. The incident was confirmed by Hafiz Ahmad, a local councillor representing Ward 4 of the union. According to him, the assailants emerged from the nearby hills, brandishing weapons, and forcibly took the six children, whose ages range from 13 to 17 years, into the forested hills.

Councillor Ahmad stated, “Local residents immediately informed the police. Both the community and the authorities are now conducting search operations in the surrounding hills to locate the abducted children. As of 9:30 pm, we have not been able to find the four remaining children. Preliminary indications suggest that the kidnappers’ motive is likely ransom.”

Inspector Durjoy Biswas, in charge of the Baharchhara Police Investigation Centre, told reporters, “The police visited the scene after receiving reports of the abduction. However, as of 9:30 pm, no formal complaint had yet been lodged by the families. We are actively working to recover the children safely.”

According to both district police records and local sources, Teknaf has seen a worrying rise in abductions in recent years. Over the past 21 months, a total of 272 people, including minors and young adults, have been abducted from various areas of the upazila. Most victims have been released following payment of ransom.

Experts and local officials have expressed concern that such incidents instil fear and insecurity in the community, particularly in the remote and hilly areas of Teknaf. The abduction of children, they say, highlights vulnerabilities in community safety measures and raises urgent questions about law enforcement capacity and preventive measures in the region.

Local authorities are urging parents and residents to remain vigilant, particularly in hilly and isolated areas, and to report any suspicious activity immediately. They emphasise that close cooperation between the community and the police is essential to prevent further abductions.

The incident not only underscores the dangers faced by children in vulnerable regions but also reflects a broader societal challenge. Kidnapping for ransom, according to experts, is increasingly used by criminal elements as a lucrative strategy, and the psychological impact on victims and their families can be severe.

With search operations ongoing, authorities have reiterated that they are employing all available resources to recover the children safely and to ensure that such criminal acts are prevented in the future.