Three youths found dead in remote Teknaf hill area

Woodcutters are said to have first spotted the bodies in a deep hill forest

Police have recovered the bodies of three young men from a remote hilly area in Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf.

Woodcutters first spotted the bodies in northern Shilkhali of Baharchhara Union at 10:30am on Tuesday, according to Inspector Durjoy Biswas of Baharchhara Investigation Centre.

The bodies were later recovered from the spot, he added.

The dead have been identified as Md Mijub, Nurul Bashar and Robiul Awal, residents of the locality.

Police say one of the victims died at the scene, while the other two succumbed to their injuries on the way to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.

Saiful Islam, chief of Teknaf Model Police Station, said the three were found in “bloodied condition” on the hill.

He suggested that the incident may be linked to abduction or human trafficking, noting that investigators are giving the matter high priority.

Locals have alleged the victims were involved in abduction and trafficking, the police officer says, adding that the claims are being verified and the motive is under investigation.

Ruhul Amin, the father of victim Rabiul, said Mujib had called his son out of the house on Monday night.

He said he found his son’s bloodied body in the hills on Tuesday morning after hearing the news, though he could not determine the motive behind the attack.

Local resident Azizul Rahman noted that the hills have recently become a hotspot for hostage-taking.

Armed kidnapping and human trafficking gangs have been active in the area for a long time, leaving around 5,000 residents in constant fear, he said.

Baharchhara Union Parishad Chairman Amjad Hossain Khokon said the bodies bore signs of sharp weapon injuries and head wounds.