Tawhidul Islam, Cox's Bazar 
An army personnel named Md. Titas Sheikh was killed in a gunfight between a joint force led by the Bangladesh Army and human traffickers in the remote hills of Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar.

The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) confirmed the matter in a statement sent at around 11:45 pm on Thursday.

According to the information note issued by ISPR, intelligence sources reported that a group of 15–16 armed human traffickers had held around 120 Rohingya and Bangladeshi citizens hostage in the remote hills of the Rangikhali area of Teknaf. Based on the information, a joint operational team comprising the Bangladesh Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and police reached the spot.

At that time, after sensing the presence of the joint forces, the armed human traffickers opened indiscriminate fire, resulting in an exchange of gunfire between the two sides. During the exchange of fire, Army soldier Md. Titas Sheikh, 27, was shot in the left shoulder and seriously injured, suffering heavy blood loss. He was immediately rescued and given initial treatment at a nearby hospital before being taken to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Ramu for advanced treatment, where the duty doctor declared him dead.

During the operation, one pistol, one locally made firearm, and four rounds of ammunition were recovered from the scene. In addition, five members of the human trafficking gang were arrested and 57 people who had been held hostage were rescued. The note expressed prayers for the salvation of the departed soul and deep condolences to the bereaved family members.

Although the note did not provide details of the deceased, a source said that the deceased Army personnel, Md. Titas Sheikh, was the son of Afzal Hossain of Laskardia Union in Nagarkanda upazila of Faridpur district.

Bablu Talukdar, chairman of Laskardia Union Parishad and an uncle of the deceased Army personnel, said that he learned of Titas’s death from various sources. The body is expected to be sent on Friday morning.

A source said that the operation was conducted on Thursday afternoon in the remote hills between Rohingya Camps No. 24 and 26 in Leda, Teknaf, under the leadership of the Bangladesh Army and in coordination with the BGB and police.

When the joint forces conducted the operation, a gunfight took place with the human trafficking gang. The incident resulted in casualties, including gunshot injuries. The rescued people included both Bangladeshi and Rohingya citizens. During the operation, five people were arrested, and one locally made one-shooter gun and one pistol were recovered.