Rab has arrested a gun commander of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) along with a G3 rifle from the Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar.
Mohammad Zakaria, a resident of F-17 block in Balukhali Rohingya Camp-10, was apprehended last night, said Lt Colonel HM Sazzad Hossain, commanding officer of Rab-15, during a press briefing today.
Acting on a tip-off that ARSA members smuggled firearms from Myanmar for subversive activities, Rab raided the camp and arrested Zakaria, said the Rab official.
The elite force subsequently recovered the G3 rifle and five rounds of ammunition from the Ghati Beel area in Palongkhali union, he said.
During primary interrogation, Zakaria admitted that ARSA members acquired the weapons, looted during recent conflicts in Myanmar, and smuggled those into Bangladesh. The arms were used in various criminal activities in Rohingya camps.
Zakaria concealed the weapon, one of the smuggled firearms from Myanmar, inside Camp-10.
As a gun commander, Zakaria participated in numerous killing missions and other criminal activities.
Zakaria entered Bangladesh from Myanmar in 2017 with his family. He built a strong relationship with Arsa’s leader, Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, and joined the group. Initially, he acted as a source for Arsa, he later became active in their armed group. By late 2023, he was the block commander for block F/17. Under his leadership, he was involved in kidnappings, arms and drug trafficking, extortion, and oppressing ordinary Rohingyas, said the RAB official.
Zakaria is also accused in several cases filed with Ukhiya Police Station and has been imprisoned twice earlier.
