In Chattogram’s Sitakunda area, a major joint force operation to apprehend militants in the dense Salimpur jungle faced significant obstacles on Thursday. Large trucks were strategically placed on roads, culverts were deliberately damaged, and sections of drainage slabs were removed, creating deliberate barriers to slow down security forces. Officials believe that militants were forewarned about the operation and had prepared these obstructions overnight.
Militant Factions and Leadership
Salimpur is controlled by two primary militant factions. One is led by Mohammad Yasin, the other by Rokon Uddin. Yasin is the prime suspect in the killing of a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officer during a previous operation in January, and he maintains unilateral control over the Alinagar section of the jungle.
| Faction Leader | Area of Influence | Notable Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Yasin | Alinagar | Prime suspect in RAB officer’s murder |
| Rokon Uddin | Other parts of Salimpur | Engaged in local militant activities |
Security officials reported that the barriers were intended specifically to block the joint forces’ entry into Alinagar. A truck was positioned on the main access road, and a culvert near Alinagar had been destroyed. Subsequent repairs with bricks and sand eventually allowed the force to advance.
According to Chattogram Range Additional DIG Nazmul Hasan, “Salimpur is a complex zone. The militants have multiple local informants—from CNG drivers to other sources—which may have alerted them to the operation in advance.” He added that the total number of weapons recovered and arrests made could not yet be disclosed, as the operation is ongoing. Plans are in place to establish a temporary camp to support continuous operations.
Operation Details
The operation, which began at 6 a.m., involves nearly 4,000 personnel from various security agencies. The perimeter of Salimpur has been sealed with checkpoints to prevent escape, and forces have been deployed in teams for systematic clearance. Journalists were not permitted to enter the jungle during the operation.
Historical Context
Last January, during a prior operation in Salimpur, RAB-7 Deputy Director (Naeb Subedar) Motaleb Hossain Bhuiya was killed in a militant attack. The ensuing case listed Yasin among 29 named suspects, with 200 unidentified individuals also charged. The FIR details attacks on RAB personnel using machetes, sickles, and sticks, as well as the abduction of four RAB members, who were later rescued by army and police forces.
Salimpur, covering approximately 3,100 acres near Chattogram city, has long been a safe haven for armed militants due to its rugged, hilly terrain and decades of illegal settlements. The area remains under strict armed surveillance by militant groups, who also maintain control over local land development activities.
| Geographic Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Salimpur, Sitakunda, Chattogram |
| Area | 3,100 acres |
| Borders | West: Asian Women University; East: Hathazari Upazila; South: Bayezid Bostami Thana |
Officials noted that Mohammad Yasin, formerly an affiliate of the ruling party’s local leadership, has recently claimed allegiance to BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury. Chowdhury, however, has denied any connection of his party to Salimpur or its militants.
The operation is expected to continue in the coming days, with security forces aiming to restore order in one of the region’s most entrenched militant strongholds.