Three Bodies Found in Teknaf Hills

Police in south-eastern Bangladesh have recovered the blood-stained bodies of three men from a remote, forested area in the Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar district, an incident that has triggered concern in the local community.

The discovery was made at around 10:00 am on Tuesday in the northern Shilkhali area of Baharchhara Union, deep within a difficult-to-access hill region. Officers from Teknaf Model Police Station confirmed the recovery and said the area has since been secured for further investigation.

According to preliminary police assessments, the killings may be linked to disputes involving abduction and human trafficking networks that are known to operate in and around the border-adjacent hill tracts. Authorities, however, emphasised that no definitive conclusion has yet been reached and that all possible angles are being examined.

The deceased have been identified as Mujibur Rahman (38), Nur Bashar (20), and Robiul Awal (19). All three were residents of Shilkhali village under Baharchhara Union. Local sources allege that the individuals had previously been implicated in activities related to abduction and human trafficking, and that the hill area was allegedly used as a hideout or operational base.

Residents of the area reportedly first spotted the bodies lying in a bloodied state early in the morning and immediately informed the police. A team, assisted by locals due to the rugged terrain, later retrieved the bodies from the site and transported them for legal and medical procedures.

Details of the deceased

Teknaf Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam stated that early indications suggest the incident could be the result of conflicts linked to abduction and human trafficking activities. He added that while local residents have made certain allegations regarding the deceased, these claims are being carefully verified as part of the ongoing investigation.

Baharchhara Union Parishad Chairman Amzad Hossain Khokon confirmed the recovery of the bodies and noted that visible injuries, including sharp weapon wounds and trauma to the head, were observed on the victims. He also suggested that the killings might have stemmed from internal disputes within criminal networks operating in the region.

Meanwhile, the family of one of the victims, Robiul Awal, expressed shock over the incident. His father, Ruhul Amin, said that Mujibur Rahman had taken his son out during the night, after which he later learned of the deaths when the bodies were found in the hills.

Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the killings, and further legal steps are expected once forensic examinations are completed.