COX’S BAZAR, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - Members of the army-led joint forces arrested Zahid Hossain Lalu, 40, a commander of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), from Ukhia in Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday morning. 

A foreign-made pistol and two rounds of ammunition were recovered from his possession.

The joint team arrested him during a raid at Kutupalong Rohingya Camp No. 1 following intelligence information about his presence in the area. 

According to the army, Lalu attempted to flee when the joint forces surrounded the house, but was chased and apprehended.

The information was disclosed at a press conference held at the Ukhia Army Camp adjacent to Ukhia Degree College on Wednesday afternoon. Lieutenant Colonel Simon Sikder, commander of the Ukhia Army Camp, briefed journalists on the operation.

Lt Col Sikder said the raid was conducted around 7:00 am, leading to the successful arrest of Lalu along with the seizure of the firearm and ammunition. The arrested individual is a resident of Kutupalong Camp No. 1 in Ukhia upazila.

Law enforcement and intelligence sources said Zahid Hossain Lalu had long served as a close associate and bodyguard of ARSA chief Hafez Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi. He was allegedly involved in numerous terrorist activities carried out by ARSA in both Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Lalu is accused in several high-profile crimes, including the attack on a madrasa in Rohingya Camp No. 18 in 2021 that killed six students and teachers, the murder of Rohingya pro-repatriation leader Master Muhibullah on September 29, 2021, and the killing of a DGFI officer, Squadron Leader Rezwanul Haque, near the border.

Lt Col Sikder confirmed that the arrested ARSA commander has been handed over to Ukhia Police Station for further legal proceedings.