Navy officer Lieutenant Tanjim Sarwar Nirjon. File Photo

COX’S BAZAR, May 20, 2026 (BSS)- A court here today sentenced four people to death and nine others to life-term imprisonment for the killing Navy officer Lieutenant Tanjim Sarwar Nirjon during a joint forces operation at Chakaria.

Fifth Additional District and Sessions Judge Court of Cox’s Bazar Mohammad Abul Mansur Siddiqui delivered the verdict.

According to the prosecution, the court acquitted five accused due to lack of evidence. In a separate arms case linked to the same incident, 13 accused were also sentenced to 17 years of imprisonment while five others were acquitted.

Lawyers said 12 accused were present in court during the pronouncement of the verdict while one convict remained absconding.

The death penalty recipients are- Helal Uddin, Nurul Amin, Nasir Uddin and Morshed Alam, all are residents of different areas of Chakaria upazila.

The nine individuals awarded life imprisonment are-Jamal Uddin Babul, Mohammad Arif Ullah, Mohammad Anwar Hakim, Joyabul Karim, Ismail Hossain, Enamul Haque alias Tota Enam, Mohammad Enam, Md. Kamal and Abdul Karim.

Security around the court premises was tightened immediately after the verdict, with additional police and law enforcement personnel was deployed. 

The convicted persons were later taken back to prison under strict security.

The incident took place on September 24, 2024 at Purba Maizpara area of Dulahazara Union at Chakaria upazila when joint forces launched an operation against a band of arms robbers.

Members of the gang attempted to flee after sensing the presence of the forces. Lieutenant Nirjon chased the robbers and caught one of them. Then the robbers critically stabbed him, leaving him dead on way to CMH in Ramu.

After investigation, police submitted charge sheets against 18 accused on January 19, 2025. The verdict was delivered nearly 20 months after the killing.