During a special operation conducted in the early hours of Friday (August 8), the Coastguard seized nine locally-made firearms, 29 hand grenades, two rounds of live ammunition, one round of blank ammunition, and three machetes. The operation was witnessed by Akhtar Hossain Kiron, General Secretary of the Banglabazar Fish Traders’ Association, along with local representatives and various businessmen.
According to the Coastguard, Abu Bakar Siddique, also referred to as Nizam, was apprehended at Banglabazar Ghat in the early morning. Based on information provided by him, a search was conducted at his shop in the Banglabazar fish market, where the arms and explosives were recovered.
The Coastguard claims that Nizam had been involved in various criminal activities in the area for a long time, using his fish trading business as a cover.
Lieutenant Commander Rifat Ahmed, Staff Officer (Operations) of the Coastguard South Zone, stated, “Abu Bakar Siddique will be handed over to Hatiya Police Station along with the seized arms. Legal proceedings under the Arms Act are underway against him.”
This operation reflects the Coastguard’s ongoing efforts to maintain law and order in remote areas like Hatiya, with authorities affirming that such drives to curb terrorism and crime will continue.
