The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has successfully apprehended a key suspect linked to the fatal ambush of a high-ranking officer in Sitakunda. The suspect, Aliraj Hassan (better known as Sagar), 30, was captured late Saturday night following a sophisticated intelligence-led raid at the Sugandha Point area of Cox’s Bazar.
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The Salimpur Ambush: A Fatal Assault
The arrest is a pivotal development in the investigation into the death of Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) Abdul Motaleb. On 19 January 2026, a RAB-7 tactical unit was conducting a targeted raid in the Salimpur area to arrest known militants when they were met with overwhelming resistance.
A violent mob of approximately 400 to 500 assailants descended upon the small team of officers, launching a ferocious attack that left four personnel seriously wounded. DAD Abdul Motaleb was rushed to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Chattogram, where he was tragically pronounced dead. The remaining three officers are still receiving intensive medical care for their injuries.
Incident Profile: The Sitakunda Law Enforcement Attack
| Feature | Details of the Case |
| Primary Victim | DAD Abdul Motaleb (Deceased) |
| Injured Officers | 3 RAB Members (Hospitalised at CMH) |
| Arrested Suspect | Aliraj Hassan alias Sagar, aged 30 |
| Location of Arrest | Sugandha Point, Cox’s Bazar |
| Original Crime Scene | Salimpur, Sitakunda, Chattogram |
| Legal Charges | Murder, Assault, and Obstructing State Duty |
Intelligence Tracking and Apprehension
Following the ambush, RAB-7 initiated a massive manhunt for the named suspects listed in the First Information Report (FIR). Senior Assistant Director (Media) ARM Mozaffar Hossain confirmed that Aliraj Hassan had fled his home immediately after the incident, attempting to evade justice by blending into the tourist crowds of Cox’s Bazar.
Acting on a specific tip-off, the elite force tracked the 30-year-old to a coastal hideout. He was taken into custody without incident and has since been transferred to Sitakunda Police Station for formal processing and further interrogation.
Strengthening the Rule of Law
The authorities believe the ambush was not a spontaneous riot but a coordinated attempt by local syndicates to create “no-go zones” for law enforcement. The killing of a DAD-rank officer has sent shockwaves through the security forces, prompting a vow from the government to dismantle the criminal networks operating in the Sitakunda coastal belt.
The investigation is now focused on identifying the masterminds who incited the 500-strong mob to attack the state’s elite anti-crime unit. Police and RAB officials have reiterated that no one involved in the killing of DAD Motaleb will escape the reach of the law.