Bangladesh Army recovered arms and ammunition from a Kuki-Chin National Front hideout in Ruma in Ruma upazila of Bandarban on Thursday. Photo: Collected
The Bangladesh Army has recovered a large quantity of firearms and ammunition during a raid on a hideout of Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), an armed group active in the hill districts, in the remote hill area of Ruma upazila in Bandarban.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) informed this through a press release on Thursday.
It said based on intelligence information, the raid was conducted at Munlai Para, a remote hilly area in Ruma. But sensing the presence of the army men, KNF members fled the spot, leaving behind their weapons and ammunition.
The recovered items included -- one SMG with magazine, two shotguns with 159 cartridges and a filled cartridge belt, a pair of walkie-talkies, a binocular, three pairs of KNF uniforms, a pair of boots, a handcuff, splinters for making improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and five smartphones.
In 2020, some youth from the Bawm community in the hilly districts formed the armed organisation. Security forces began operations against the group in October 2022 due to escalating militant activities.
This raid follows recent incidents in April when the KNF was involved in bank robberies at Sonali and Krishi Banks in Ruma and Thanchi upazilas.
During these incidents, weapons were looted from police and Ansar personnel, bank manager Nejam Uddin was abducted, and funds were stolen.
So far, 22 cases were filed —14 with the Ruma police station, four with the Thanchi, three at Rowangchhari, and one at Bandarban Sadar police station.
A total of 120 members and associates of KNF have been arrested in operation by the joint forces.
