An organised gang allegedly held residents at gunpoint and looted two homes in Pekua, a coastal upazila of Cox’s Bazar, during the early hours of Monday. The incident occurred at about 3:15am in Sikdarpara of Pekua municipality, at the homes of Saudi expatriate Jomir Alam and Maheshkhali resident Rezaul Karim. Victims said the gang took cash worth Tk850,000 and 17 bhori of gold ornaments. Pekua police visited the scene after receiving information.

Rezaul Karim said he was sitting with several people at a nearby shop after going outside to check a motorcycle when he saw a white microbus pass quickly around 3am. Shortly afterwards, three or four unknown men asked his identity, held him at gunpoint and took him home. He said seven or eight masked robbers already inside confined family members to one room, searched the house and threatened to shoot if anyone shouted.

According to Karim, Tk650,000 and 10 bhori of gold were taken from his room, while Tk250,000 and seven bhori of gold were taken from Alam’s room. Alam’s wife, Amina Begum, said the robbers threatened to kill her, removed her chain and earrings, and broke a wardrobe lock to take cash and jewellery. Officer-in-Charge Md Mehedi Hasan said an investigation is under way and police are conducting operations to identify and arrest those involved.