Teknaf, Sept 19 (V7N) – A joint operation by the Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard has rescued 66 people, including women and children, from a human traffickers’ hideout deep in the remote hills of Baharchhara-Kachhapia in Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf upazila.

Officials confirmed that the rescued group comprised 23 women, 22 men, and 21 children. Among them were both Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya refugees.

According to the Coast Guard East Zone, the raid was launched on Thursday evening following intelligence reports that human traffickers were preparing to send people to Malaysia by sea. The victims were reportedly lured with promises of lucrative jobs, quick migration opportunities, and minimal upfront costs, with some told they could repay expenses later through their overseas earnings.

Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Hoque, media officer at Coast Guard Headquarters, said the rescue operation took place between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. “Acting on intelligence, our forces conducted a raid in the hilly hideout and rescued 66 people, including women and children. Unfortunately, the traffickers managed to escape during the operation,” he said on Friday morning.

Interviews with the rescued individuals revealed that the trafficking rings not only deceived them with job offers but also confined them in remote camps to extort ransom. The captives were later to be transported by trawlers through the Bay of Bengal, using the Marine Drive coastline as a departure point to Malaysia.

Authorities confirmed that intelligence surveillance has been stepped up in the region and further joint operations by the Navy and Coast Guard are underway to dismantle the trafficking networks and bring those responsible to justice.

END/MFA/AJ/