Border News Agency 
Teknaf – July 30, 2025

Bangladeshi security forces have arrested a suspected Rohingya militant leader allegedly involved in 21 criminal cases, including murder, robbery, and arms trafficking, officials said Tuesday.

The suspect, identified as Shafi Prakash (alias Shafi), aged 28, was detained late Monday night in a targeted operation by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) near the Nayapara refugee camp in Teknaf, southern Cox’s Bazar. He is a resident of Block-C, Sector 26 of the camp, home to thousands of Rohingya refugees who fled violence in neighboring Myanmar.

Authorities said the arrest followed intelligence that led RAB personnel to the foothills of the Hazir Project area, where Shafi was hiding. Armed men attempted to resist the operation, firing at officers. RAB returned fire before taking the suspect into custody.

During the operation, security forces seized a stockpile of illegal weapons and explosives, including:

One LG firearm

Two locally crafted submachine guns

Two grenades

Ten homemade explosives

Ammunition and over 750 grams of methamphetamine

“This individual was a key figure in multiple violent incidents within the camp and posed a serious threat to community security,” said Lt. Col. Md. Kamrul Hasan, commander of RAB-15, during a press briefing in Cox’s Bazar.

Shafi is accused in two homicide cases, two robbery cases, and six arms-related charges, with additional investigations ongoing.

Violence and organized crime have escalated in Rohingya camps in recent years, as authorities struggle to control militant activity and smuggling operations. Bangladeshi forces have stepped up patrols amid growing concerns over camp security and cross-border militancy.