Authorities including the police, RAB, and APBN executed a raid targeting terrorists in the Padma Char regions of Rajshahi, Natore, Pabna, and Kushtia. This operation was designated as 'Operation First Light'.
The raid commenced early Sunday morning and continued throughout the day in Bagha, Rajshahi; Lalpur, Natore; Aminpur and Ishwardi, Pabna; and Daulatpur, Kushtia. A total of 67 individuals affiliated with 11 terrorist organizations were detained during this operation.
DIG Mohammad Shahjahan of the Rajshahi Range provided this update during a press conference on Sunday afternoon. He elaborated that out of the 67 arrests, 58 occurred in the char regions of Rajshahi, Pabna, and Natore districts, while nine were apprehended in the char area of Daulatpur upazila in Kushtia district, which falls under the Khulna range. The arrested individuals are linked to various terrorist factions, including Kakon Bahini.
Throughout the operation, authorities recovered 10 firearms, four bullets, two bullet casings, 24 axes, six daggers, two knives, three ramdas, and two Chinese axes. Additionally, a motorized boat, a speed boat, two tents, and five motorcycles were confiscated from the char in Daulatpur, Kushtia.
The DIG noted that there are a total of 11 terrorist groups operating in that char. A collaborative effort involving police, RAB, and APBN members was initiated to combat these groups on Sunday morning, under the name 'Operation First Light'. Approximately 1,200 personnel from various police units formed a special team for this operation, with contributions from RAB and APBN members as well.
DIG Mohammad Shahjahan identified the terrorist factions present in Padma Char, which include Kakan Bahini, Mandal Bahini, Tuku Bahini, Sayeed Bahini, Lalchand Bahini, Rakhi Bahini, Sharif Kaigi Bahini, Razzak Bahini, Chalish Bahini, Bahanna Bahini, Sukhchand, and Naharul Bahini.
The accusations against these forces encompass murder stemming from mutual rivalry, the killing of farmers and fishermen in the Char, encroachment on Char land, extortion from herders and Bathan owners, drug and arms trafficking, possession of illegal firearms, providing refuge to banned terrorist organizations and proletariat, encroachment on Padma Char hay fields, and various robberies. This situation perpetuates turmoil in the Char region.
DIG Mohammad Shahjahan stated, "This operation is not the conclusion. The operation has commenced. It will persist. Ongoing operations will be conducted from this point forward to guarantee the safety of the populace. While it may not be feasible to entirely eliminate the activities of the terrorist forces, it will be possible to manage them effectively."
On October 27, a shooting incident occurred in four areas of Khanpara, adjacent to Daulatpur in Kushtia, Bagha in Rajshahi, and Lalpur upazila in Natore, aimed at asserting dominance. Three individuals lost their lives in this incident. Subsequently, a case was lodged at Daulatpur Police Station against the leader of the Kakon force, Hasinuzzaman Kakon, along with members of the force.
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