The Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued 44 people, including women and children, from the remote hills of Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar district on Friday.

The operation was carried out from 2 AM to 7 AM by Coast Guard personnel at Baharchhara area in the upazila.

Teknaf Station Commander Lieutenant Commander Salauddin Rashid Tanvir confirmed the details during a briefing on Friday afternoon.

He said that intelligence reports indicated a large number of women, children and men were being held in the hilly area of Pinis Bhanga in Baharchhara with the intention of trafficking them by sea to Malaysia.

Acting on this information, the Coast Guard launched a special operation, successfully rescuing the captives from the hilltops.

During interrogation, the rescued individuals revealed that several organised human trafficking networks had lured them from various parts of the country with promises of high-paying jobs, a better lifestyle and low-cost overseas travel.

They were then confined in the hills of Teknaf in preparation for trafficking. The victims also reported attempts by traffickers to extort ransom through abuse and threats.

The traffickers fled when they became aware of the Coast Guard’s presence. Authorities said intelligence and search operations are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.

Lieutenant Commander Tanvir added, “The Bangladesh Coast Guard will continue such operations in the future to prevent human trafficking and protect vulnerable people.”