Two commanders of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) were killed in a shootout early Wednesday morning at a Rohingya refugee camp in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. The gunfire, which is believed to have been sparked by an internal power struggle between rival groups, also left another man injured.
The incident took place near the M-25 Block Markaz Mosque. Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mohammad Iqbal, who is also the captain of APBn-14, confirmed that the victims were 37-year-old Imam Hossain from M-25 Block and 25-year-old Rahmat Ullah from Camp No. 4’s D-6 Block. Both were identified as commanders within ARSA, a group linked to several criminal activities, including murder, kidnapping, and extortion.
A third person, 31-year-old Mohammad Abdullah from Camp No. 20’s M-29 Block, was also caught in the crossfire. Abdullah, who sustained gunshot wounds, was rescued by locals and rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
According to DIG Iqbal, a group of 20 to 30 armed individuals stormed the area from Camp No. 18 and opened fire on Imam, Rahmat, and their associates near the mosque before fleeing the scene. Law enforcement arrived shortly after, recovering the two bodies, which were later sent to Cox’s Bazar District Sadar Hospital for autopsy.
Preliminary investigations suggest the attack was part of an escalating power struggle within the camps, where rival factions vie for control and influence over the Rohingya population.
The incident marks another violent episode in the ongoing conflict within the refugee camps, where criminal groups have increasingly resorted to violence to consolidate power. Local authorities continue their investigation into the killings, as the situation in the camps remains tense.
