Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
The darkness before dawn brought terror to a hillside near Camp 21, Chakmarkul, in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, three young Rohingya men were abducted by armed assailants while guarding a paddy field from elephant attacks.
They went out to protect crops. They never came back.
What Happened That Morning
The three men, Shafiq Alam, Mohammad Joynal, and Shah Alam, all residents of Chakmarkul Camp 21, had taken the night shift to guard the paddy field adjacent to the hilly area near their camp. Protecting crops from elephants is a common and necessary task for the community. That night, it became a death trap.
Before dawn, armed men emerged from the hills. They seized the three young men and disappeared into the darkness. Two other Rohingya men present at the scene managed to escape. They ran back to the camp and reported the abduction to community representative Ahmed Ullah. He immediately alerted the Armed Police Battalion (APBN) stationed at Chakmarkul.
No Rescue by Evening
Ahmed Ullah confirmed that by Wednesday evening, none of the three men had been found. “We have not been able to rescue the three abducted men until this evening,” he said, his voice carrying the weight of a community already burdened by years of suffering.
Inspector Humayun Kabir, Officer-in-Charge of Chakmarkul APBN Police Camp, confirmed the incident in the afternoon. “As soon as we learned of the abduction, we immediately searched the incident site and surrounding areas,” he stated. “A rescue operation is currently underway.”
Fear Has Settled Over the Community
The incident has spread deep anxiety across the camp and surrounding areas. Rohingya families in Teknaf already live under enormous pressure. They protect their crops to survive. They guard their fields through the night. Moreover, they do so in hilly terrain, far from safety, and with little protection.
Now, three of their own are gone. Their families are waiting. The community is watching.
The paddy fields these men were guarding represent more than food. They represent dignity, survival, and the daily fight of a displaced people trying to hold on to something of their own.
Therefore, this abduction is not only a crime. It is an attack on a community that has nowhere else to turn.
Rescue Efforts Continue
Security forces have launched search operations in the area. However, the hilly terrain around Teknaf makes such operations difficult and slow. As of Wednesday evening, the three men remained missing.
The APBN has not yet named any suspects or identified the group responsible for the abduction. Investigations are ongoing.
The families of Shafiq Alam, Mohammad Joynal, and Shah Alam are waiting for any news. So is every resident of Chakmarkul Camp 21.
