Firearms factory in Ukhia busted, 3 Rohingyas held: Rab

Rapid Action Battalion claimed to have busted a firearms factory in a hilly area of Ukhia upazila in Cox's Bazar and arrested three Rohingya firearms-makers early today.

Among the arrestees, Baitullah (19) and his brother Habibullah (32) were residents of Block-C, Kutupalong Rohingya camp and Mohammad Hachhun (24) of Block G, said Lt Col Khairul Islam, commanding officer of Rab-15.

The Rab official said, "We had intelligence that a gang opened a firearms factory in the area and was supplying weapons to the Rohingya criminals." 

Photo: Star

Based on this information, a team of Rab-15 launched a drive in the area adjacent to Kutupalong Rohingya camp extension-4, our Cox's Bazar correspondent reports quoting Lt Col Khairul.

Sensing their presence, the criminals opened fire, forcing the elite force members to fire back.

After a four-hour gunfight, the Rab team managed to take over the factory and seized 10 local guns and huge amount of materials used for making firearms, the Rab official said.

They also arrested the three weapon makers from the spot while others managed to flee the scene, he said, adding that the arrestees are being interrogated.