The Bangladesh Coast Guard and the Bangladesh Navy in a joint operation early Friday rescued 38 people, including women and children, who were held captive in the remote hills of Teknaf in Cox鈥檚 Bazar for trafficking.
According to the BGC officials, among those rescued were 18 women, 12 men and eight children.
Besides, two individuals suspected to be traffickers were detained from the spot during the operation.
The operation was carried out in a hilly area at Baharchhara in the district and rescued the victims, said BCG media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam ul Haque.
Siam said that two traffickers were detained during the operation that was carried out based on information by the intelligence.
鈥榃e learned that a large number of people were being held captive with the intention of trafficking them to Malaysia by sea,鈥� he said.
According to the Coast Guard Bangladesh, trafficking syndicates had lured Bangladeshi nationals and Myanmar nationals of Rohingya community from Teknaf and other places across the country with promises of high-paying jobs.
Some of the rescued individuals said that they were offered low-cost or free passage to Malaysia, with repayment expected after employment.
They were confined in secret hideouts in the hills, awaiting transportation via boat.
The victims also alleged that the traffickers held them captive and tried to extort ransom through torture, said a press release issued by the BCG on Friday. Further legal action is under way, the release added.