RAB arrested a ‘gun commander’ of Myanmar’s armed group Arakan Salvation Army (Arsa) in a special operation at Balukhali Shelter Camp (Camp-10) in Cox’s Bazar. His name is Md. Zakaria (32). At this time, a G-3 rifle used by members of the Myanmar security forces and five bullets were recovered. RAB claims that Zakaria Arsa’s ‘gun commander’ and listed terrorist were arrested.
The operation was conducted in the F-17 block of the shelter yesterday Thursday night.
Battalion Commander Lt. Col. HM Sazzat Hossain told a press conference at RAB-15 Cox’s Bazar office on the arrest of ARSA’s ‘Gun Commander’ along with heavy weapons and bullets. Arrested Arsa Gun Commander Zakaria Balukhali is the son of Rohingya Ali Johar of Block F-17 of Asylum Camp.
RAB-15 commander Lt. Col. HM Sajjat Hossain said that Arsa terrorists brought heavy weapons from the neighboring country (Myanmar) to sabotage the Balukhali shelter camp (Camp-10). A special team of RAB raided there last night based on the intelligence information of the army and RAB. When he realized the presence of RAB and escaped. Zakaria was arrested. Then, based on Zakaria’s confession, a heavy weapon G-3 rifle and five bullets used by members of the Myanmar law and order forces were recovered from Palangkhali area. There are several cases against Zakaria in Ukhia police station for various crimes including murder.
It is to be noted that another ‘Gun Commander’ Abdul Monaf (27) of ARSA was killed in the clash and firing of Armed Police Battalion (APBN) with ARSA at Tajnimarghona Shelter Camp (Camp-19) of Thaingkhali in Ukhia on Wednesday morning. He is the son of Rohingya Azim Ullah of A-4 block of that shelter camp. There are six cases against the deceased Monaf, including four murders and one of weapons.
It was said in RAB’s press conference that in 2017, Zakaria crossed the border from Myanmar’s Rakhine state and entered Bangladesh and started living in Ukhiya’s Balukhali refugee camp. He then started working as an active member of ARSA net team i.e. Correspondent and later in song group. In late 2023, Zakaria was appointed as the ‘Block Commander’ of Block-F/17 of Rohingya Camp-10. At that time, under the leadership of Zakaria, various criminal activities including kidnapping, weapons, drugs, extortion and torture of ordinary Rohingyas were conducted in the refugee camp. Later he was given the charge of Gun Commander. Zakaria has good relations with Arsa’s top commander Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi.
During RAB’s interrogation, Zakaria admitted that the weapons used in Arsa’s killing mission were used by members of Myanmar’s law enforcement agencies. From there they collected it and hid it in the bill of Ghati of Palangkhali Union of Ukhia. According to RAB, after the arrest, according to Zakaria’s confession, G-3 rifle and five bullets were recovered from the bill of that Ghat in Palangkhali.
Arsa terrorist Zakaria has been handed over to Ukhia Police Station and a case has been filed, RAB-15 Cox’s Bazar Office Senior Assistant Director (Law and Media) Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Abu Salam Chowdhury said that the operation of RAB to protect peace and order in the shelter camp continues. Meanwhile, RAB has arrested 117 Arsa terrorists including Arsa Military Commander Hafez Noor Mohammad, Finance Secretary Maulana Mohammad Yunus, Gun Commander Rahimullah alias Mucha, Killer Group Chief Noor Kamal alias Samiuddin, Arsa Top Commander Ataullah’s bodyguard Akiz.
During this time, 53.71 kg of explosives, 5 grenades, 10 hand grenades, 14 foreign firearms, 56 domestic firearms, 178 bullets and cartridges, 4 IDs, 48 cocktails and various equipment were recovered.