Online Desk: Five members including the commander of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) have been arrested in a joint operation of RAB and Armed Police Battalion from various Rohingya camps at Ukhiya in Cox’s Bazar. The arrested were the alleged ARSA commander Dr. Rafiq, 55, members Md Rafiq, 22, Nurul Amin, 35, Mohammad Rafiq, 23, and Khairul Amin, 30. All of them were residents of Kutupalong Balukhali and Thaingkhali Rohingya camps at Ukhiya.

RAB-15 senior assistant director (Additional Superintendent of Police) Abu Salam Chowdhury confirmed the matter on Sunday night in a press release. According to the press release, acting on a tip-off, Armed Police Battalion-8, Armed Battalion Police-14 and RAB-15 jointly conducted a drive at Ukhiya Bazar on Saturday night when the arrested persons came to collect medicine for the injured members of ARSA.

At that time, the arrested tried to escape after sensing the presence of RAB-15 and were chased and arrested. Ukhiya Police Station officer-in-charge Sheikh Mohammad Ali said there were several cases against the detained including murder, drug cases and police assault. Later, a case has been filed with the police station in this regard, the OC added.