Gunfights between joint security forces and an alleged human traffickers gang in the south-eastern Bangladeshi district of Cox's Bazar have left an army soldier killed, the Bangladesh Army said on Thursday.
The incident occurred on Thursday evening on a hill near Block H of Leda Nurali Para Rohingya camp in Hnila union of the Teknaf sub-district, according to the Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) department.
An armed gang opened fire when a joint operation of the army, Border Guard Bangladesh, and police was conducted at around 5:30 pm, the ISPR statement said.
A Bangladesh Army soldier, Md Titas Sheikh (27), sustained a serious gunshot wound to his left shoulder during the exchange of fire, it said. Sheikh's injury resulted in severe blood loss.
He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for initial treatment. He was then transferred to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Ramu Cantonment for advanced medical care. But on-duty doctors pronounced him dead, the statement added.
Meanwhile, the forces captured three people for their alleged involvement in the trafficking racket. They also rescued 57 other people, believed to have been taken for trafficking to Malaysia by boat, during the operation.
Human traffickers frequently use rickety boats to smuggle Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya Muslims living in the crowded camps in Cox's Bazar to Malaysia and other destinations through the Bay of Bengal. Deaths from such boat accidents are also common on the dangerous sea route.
A police officer said illegal arms were also recovered from those who were arrested during the raid
