Photo : Collected

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - The Jungle Salimpur, a hilly and inaccessible area on the outskirt of the Chattogram city,  has become a criminal’s den where rampant killing , arms and drug related illicit trade have been common scenario. 

A number of criminal groups have been active in the area of around 3100 acres of hilly land. Over 30,000 people have been living in this illegally developed residential place popularly known as “the zone of terror”. 

Often locked into fighting among them, the criminal’s gang also did not hesitate to attack government officials, law enforcers and journalists at times while attempts were made to enter into the area to conduct regular drives against criminal activities. 

The area has been plagued by a series of killings, shootings, and counter-attacks. Official sources said once abandoned Jungle Salimpur area was turned into an illegal residential zone by razing a number of big hills worth about Tk 30,000 crore. 

Besides selling illegal plots, the den is used for drug and armed smuggling, sheltering killers and anti-social elements and virtually has become a safe sanctuary of hooligans.    

The recent murder of RAB officer Abdul Motaleb Bhuiyan has heightened fear among the people. Criminals gangs active in and around the zone have set up check posts and introduced card system to enter the area. 

Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Russell of Chattogram district said that a combined operation with personnel from Army and other forces is planned to apprehend those responsible for the attack and murder in Jungle Salimpur. As of now, no arrests have been made, and no formal complaint has been filed with the police in connection with yesterday’s brutal killing of RAB-7 DAD Abdul Motaleb Bhuiyan. 

 A case will be registered once a complaint is lodged, he said. 

Information is being gathered from various sources to identify those involved in the incident. CCTV footage, videos, and mobile phone data are being reviewed. Over the past four decades, thousands of illegal settlements have been constructed on 3,100 acres of government land valued around Tk 30,000 crore. Violent terrorist groups have established a stronghold in this area to maintain control over the area. Illegal activities such as drug and firearm trading take place here. A special identity card is required to enter this town, which is home to approximately 30,000 residents. Even the administration and police face strict access control in this area.

 According to locals, violent clashes and murders have been taking place for years over the control of government land. The struggle to establish control in the area between two influential terrorist groups, Yasin and Rokon was prime reason behind continuous violence in the area before and after August 5. 

Local sources said after fall of AL, the gang leaders of both sides were trying desperately to earn blessing from at present political influential leaders to carry out their illegal trade and continue the control over the area. 

During the Awami League regime, Yasin, with the patronization of the then AL lawmaker S. M. Al Mamun formed a terrorist group in the area and engaged in illegal activities such as hill cutting, land grabbing, extortion, and drug trafficking. After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, Yasin adapted his tactics to maintain control over government-owned land and his criminal activities. Recently, RAB conducted a weapons recovery operation based on a tip-off that Yasin was planning to open an office in Jungle Salimpur. When RAB arrived, Yasin’s men attacked them in an ambush.

Abdul Motaleb Bhuiyan, Deputy Assistant Director of RAB-7, was killed and four others including three RAB personnel were injured in the attack.  Abdul Motaleb had joined RAB from BGB on deputation.

While visiting the Jungle Salimpur area this afternoon, BSS correspondent observed that a panic gripped the entire area with little movement of people following RAB officer's killing. Even the residents, pedestrians and floating vendors were reluctant to talk with journalists about what happening in the area. 

Nur Jahan Begum, a resident of Ali Nagar at Jungle Salimpur fearfully said, "I cannot disclose anything as it may force me to leave this area with my family." 

According to information gathered from locals, there are two main parties involved in the criminal empire. The 'Alinagar Bahumukhi Samiti' is led by identified terrorist Yasin Mia, while the 'Mahanagar Chinnamool Bastibasi Sangram Parishad' is controlled by Kazi Mashiur and Gazi Sadek, with terrorist Rokon associated with this group. 

It was learnt that Yasin and his men had attempted to open an office at Jungle Salimpur on Monday afternoon to operate his criminal activities from there. On occasion of inaugurating the office, a good number of followers belong to Yasin group were gathered at the proposed office place. 

Meanwhile, Mona, a follower of the Rokon group and an informant for RAB, confirmed Yasin's presence at the inauguration ceremony. Acting on this intelligence, a team from RAB-7's Patenga headquarter rushed to the location to conduct a drive aiming at arresting gang kingpin Yasin. Upon entering the Chinnamool residential area of Jangal Salimpur on Monday evening, the terrorists used a microphone to announce their presence and launched a coordinated attack on RAB team. 

The terrorists, positioned on a hill, attacked the RAB with firearms, bricks, and sticks. They surrounded the RAB members and fired indiscriminately, injuring RAB officer Motaleb. The terrorists captured three RAB members and a source named Mona, taking them to the hill and seizing their weapons. Police were alerted and successfully rescued the hostages, recovering the stolen weapons. Four individuals, including the injured RAB members, are receiving treatment at the Combined Military Hospital. The area near the Salimpur forest is heavily guarded, requiring locals to show ID for entry, with outsiders needing permission to access the area.

There have been several attacks on the administration during operations to prevent evictions and hill cutting. Journalists, police, and district administration officials have also been targeted multiple times. 

RAB Assistant Director A R M Mozaffar Hossain informed that the Namaz-e-Janaja of RAB officer Abdul Motaleb Bhuiyan was held at  RAB-7 Patenga office this afternoon.