Trucks and Collapsed Culverts Hinder Joint Operation

In Chittagong’s Sitakunda, a major joint operation against armed militants in Jangal Salimpur has encountered significant obstacles as the perpetrators preemptively sabotaged access routes. Large trucks were strategically placed on key roads, culverts were deliberately demolished, and sections of drainage slabs were removed, forcing security forces to negotiate challenging conditions during the early stages of the operation.

Law enforcement officials believe that the militants received advance intelligence about the operation. Acting on this knowledge, they created these barriers overnight to delay or prevent the entry of joint forces, particularly into the Alinagar area, which is a stronghold of one of the groups.

Militant Groups and Leadership

Jangal Salimpur is currently controlled by two main militant factions:

Mohammad Yasin’s faction has historically orchestrated violent attacks against security personnel. The barricades and sabotage appear intended to prevent the joint forces from advancing along the main access road into Alinagar.

Operation Details

The operation began at 6:00 AM with approximately 4,000 personnel from multiple security agencies participating. Perimeter control was established around Jangal Salimpur, with inspection posts set up at all ingress and egress points to prevent escape. Forces were divided into multiple teams to systematically clear the area, although journalists were barred from entering the jungle for safety reasons.

Chittagong Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Nazmul Hasan confirmed the removal of a culvert, which had been replaced with earth and brick infill to allow vehicles to proceed safely. “This is a large-scale operation with personnel from various agencies. Local informants likely tipped off the militants, allowing them to set up these obstructions,” DIG Hasan stated.

Regarding arrests and weapons recovery, he added, “The operation is ongoing. Until its completion, it is impossible to provide exact figures on arrests or arms seized. We are establishing a temporary camp to facilitate uninterrupted operations.”

Historical Context

In January, RAB-7’s Deputy Assistant Director (Naeb Subedar) Motaleb Hossain Bhuiya was killed during a similar mission in Jangal Salimpur. Subsequent investigations implicated Mohammad Yasin and 29 others, along with 200 unidentified individuals. The case revealed attacks on RAB personnel with machetes, axes, and sticks, and the abduction of four RAB members, who were later rescued by army and police units.

Geographic and Strategic Significance

Jangal Salimpur spans 3,100 acres, located just two kilometres west of Bayezid Bostami in Chittagong, opposite Asian Women’s University. It is a remote hilly area, bordered by Hathazari Upazila to the east and Bayezid Bostami Thana to the south. The rugged terrain and decades of unregulated settlement have allowed militants to establish strongholds and maintain continuous armed vigilance.

The area’s long-standing illicit plot trade has fueled the need for armed control, making it a hub for organised criminal activity. Prior conflicts in October saw one militant killed, and two journalists assaulted while collecting news, highlighting the persistent dangers in the region.

This latest operation represents a coordinated attempt by law enforcement to dismantle entrenched militant networks and restore security in Jangal Salimpur, with both tactical and strategic significance for Chittagong’s broader law-and-order situation.