Abdur Rahman/ Dhaka Tribune/ May 21, 2024

Illegal heavy weapons are entering Bangladesh through theMyanmar border, falling into the hands of separatist groups based in theRohingya camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf.

In a significant operation, law enforcement forces recentlyseized a large cache of firearms, including military-grade weapons, from thesecamps. 

According to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), a raid wasconducted on a hideout of Myanmar's armed group, the Arakan Salvation Army(Arsa), in the remote Lal Pahar area of Ukhiya last Wednesday. 

During the operation, a substantial amount of ammunition,grenades, and various weapons were recovered from Arsa's hideout. 

The raid resulted in a gunfight between Arsa men and RAB,leading to the arrest of Arsa's Bangladesh commander, Master Salimullah, 38,and his associate Md Riaz, 27. 

The recovered items included five grenades, three riflegrenades, ten country-made hand grenades, thirteen cocktails, one foreignrevolver, one LG, and a large quantity of ammunition and cartridges.

Police raids and arrests

On Thursday, police conducted a raid based on a tip-offregarding arms dealers conspiring to smuggle firearms from Myanmar intoBangladesh.

The raid took place at the house of a notorious robber,Mostak, in the remote hills of Ukhiya's Motherbunia area. 

Mostak, along with Ravi Alam, Kashem, and Mostak's wife,were arrested. The raid yielded two LGs, 77 rounds of bullets, and 24 bulletshells.

Another associate, Belal, was arrested while fleeing fromTeknaf. Based on Belal's information, a foreign G3 rifle, a magazine, and 15rounds were recovered from the coastal area in Teknaf.

The arrested individuals are identified as organized armsdealers, involved in smuggling heavy weapons from Myanmar to Rohingyacamp-based miscreants.

These weapons include sophisticated arms such as German-madeG3 rifles and rocket cells. Most of the seized weapons are foreign-made.

The presence of heavy weapons in the hands of separatistgroups within the Rohingya camps is a significant security concern.

Cox’s Bazar Superintendent of Police Md Mahfuzul Islam saidthe accused are involved in multiple robbery, weapons, and drug cases, withseveral arrest warrants issued against them. 

Two cases have been filed under the Arms Act in Ukhiya andTeknaf police stations, and the accused have been sent to court with a remandapplication.

He said: "There are several separatist organizationsbased in Rohingya camps. Basically, they are bringing weapons and ammunitionfrom Myanmar to Bangladesh illegally to assert their dominance in the camps. Asa result, there are some murders taking place.”

Law enforcement agencies have intensified intelligenceoperations to prevent these activities, Mahfuzul added.

Strengthened border surveillance

In the early hours of April 28, APBn arrested five Rohingyaswith local and foreign weapons and ammunition in the Kutupalong 2-West RohingyaCamp of Ukhiya Upazila. 

Additional Deputy Inspector General Mohammad Iqbal,commander of the 14-Armed Police Battalion (APBn), confirmed that most of thearrested individuals are active members of Arsa, involved in crimes such askidnapping for ransom and murder to control the camps.

Lt Col HM Sajjad Hossain, commander of RAB-15, said the lawenforcers recovered military-grade weapons, including Argus and rifle grenades,typically used by armies during wars. 

Surveillance has been increased to prevent furtherinfiltration of these weapons through the border, he added. 

Master Salim, the arrested head of Arsa in Bangladesh, wasinvolved in creating unstable situation in the Rohingya camps by procuringweapons from Myanmar.

“Salim came to Bangladesh from Myanmar in 2017 and startedliving in the Balukhali refugee camp. He also served as the bodyguard for ChiefAtaullah Abu Ammar Jununi. With Arsa becoming leaderless in Bangladeshrecently, he was appointed as the chief coordinator of Arsa. He is implicatedin multiple cases, including three murders. His accomplice Riaz also faces amurder charge,” the RAB captain said.

The APBn reported that 47 firearms, including hand grenades,have been recovered from Rohingya camps in the first five months of thisyear. 

In connection with these recoveries, 42 people have beenarrested in 35 cases. In May alone, 17 murders occurred in the camps, includingfour anti-Arsa Rohingya leaders.

Additional DIG Mohammad Amir Zafar, commander of APBn-8,said: "We have strengthened patrolling of the camp after recovering heavyweapons. We are continuing operations to ensure that no arms or miscreants canenter the camp across the border. The camps are under surveillance."

Local residents have questioned how so many heavy weaponsare entering the country despite strict border surveillance. 

Wishing to remain anonymous, an officer from the BorderGuard Bangladesh (BGB) said: "A strong network of international smugglingrings is behind the illegal shipment of heavy weapons into the country. Theyare the ones crossing the border with arms consignments. This network couldinvolve someone in charge of border security, making it difficult, if notimpossible, to break."

However, to prevent the smuggling of arms, law enforcementagencies, particularly the BGB, have strengthened intelligence surveillance onthe border, according to District Police Superintendent Mahfuzul Islam.

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