A gunfight broke out between drug smugglers  and members of the Bangladesh Coast Guard in the coastal area of Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. 

One person was shot and injured in the incident. Authorities recovered 30,000 yaba pills, a foreign-made pistol, four rounds of fresh ammunition, and arrested three drug traffickers from the scene.

The incident took place at  around 4:30 am on Monday in the Tulatuli area adjacent to the Marine Drive in Teknaf Sadar Union, according to Lieutenant Commander Harun-ur-Rashid, Media Officer of the Bangladesh Coast Guard.

The three arrested individuals have been identified as Md. Elias (30), Nur Mohammad (61), and the injured Abdul Shukkur (40), all residents of the Ukhiya Kutupalong Rohingya camp. Shukkur, who sustained a gunshot wound, is currently receiving treatment at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.

Acting on intelligence about a large consignment of drugs entering Teknaf via the sea route from Myanmar, a special team from the Shah Porir Dwip Coast Guard conducted an operation early Monday near the Tulatuli boat terminal area in Teknaf Sadar Union.

Fishing at sea is currently banned for 58 days. During the operation, the Coast Guard personnel spotted a suspicious engine-run wooden boat. When signaled to stop, the traffickers attempted to flee by accelerating the boat and opened fire at the Coast Guard members. In self-defense, the Coast Guard fired back, injuring one trafficker named Abdul Shukkur (40). After an hour-long chase, the Coast Guard managed to seize the boat. Four other traffickers jumped into the sea and escaped.

The injured yaba smuggler was initially taken to Teknaf Health Complex and later referred to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment, where his condition was reported to be critical.

Upon searching the boat, authorities recovered a 9mm foreign pistol, four rounds of fresh ammunition, and 30,000 yaba pills. Legal proceedings are underway against the arrested traffickers along with the seized evidence.

Dr. Riad Saeed Chowdhury, Emergency Medical Officer at Teknaf Upazila Health Complex, confirmed that at around 5:30 am on Monday, Coast Guard personnel brought in a man named Abdul Shukkur (35) with a gunshot wound on his back. After initial treatment, he was quickly referred to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital in critical condition.

Lieutenant Commander Harun-ur-Rashid further said that to maintain law and order in the country, the Bangladesh Coast Guard continues round-the-clock patrol operations. As a result, law and order in coastal and riverside areas under Coast Guard jurisdiction has significantly improved, and anti-narcotics operations will continue in the future.