RAB, police camps attacked in Chattogram’s Jungle Salimpur

Armed criminals attacked Rapid Action Battalion and police camps in Jungle Salimpur, a high-risk area in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram, early on Monday, triggering a joint security operation.

Lieutenant Colonel Hafizur Rahman, commander of RAB-7, said members of the ‘Yasin Bahini’ surrounded a RAB camp at around 2:30am and opened fire. He said RAB personnel returned fire in self-defence.

There was no immediate confirmation of any casualties or injuries after the exchange of gunfire.

Following the attack, joint forces launched a search operation across the area. The operation was still ongoing at the time this report was filed in the morning.

Local sources said armed groups also targeted a police camp in the Alinagar area of Jungle Salimpur around the same time. Additional law enforcement personnel were deployed later to strengthen security and support the operation.

Jungle Salimpur has long been considered a stronghold for criminal groups and remains a persistent challenge for authorities seeking full control of the area.

Earlier this year on 19 January, Rapid Action Battalion Deputy Assistant Director Motaleb Hossain was killed during an operation in the area when security forces came under attack.

Previous attempts to clear the area in 2017 and 2022 were unsuccessful due to local resistance and operational difficulties.

The hilly area in Sitakunda upazila on the outskirts of Chattogram spans thousands of acres of government land and has frequently been linked in reports to illegal land grabbing, armed groups, extortion and drug trafficking.

Over time, large unauthorised settlements have developed through hill cutting and encroachment on public land. Authorities say parts of Jungle Salimpur remain difficult to access, with armed groups reportedly controlling key entry points.

The area has seen repeated clashes during eviction drives and law enforcement operations, including in 2022 when several people, including police personnel, were injured.

Despite repeated operations over the years, authorities say the area remains a continuing security challenge due to its terrain, entrenched networks and complex control structure.