Two alleged members of Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA), a military wing of Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), were killed during an operation conducted by the Bangladesh Army at Ruma upazila in Bandarban early Sunday.
According to a press release issued by Inter-Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR), an army patrol team conducted the operation in remote Baklaipara area under Ruma upazila of Bandarban district around 3:30am. The patrol team cordoned off the area and carried out the operation.
During the operation at 4:55 am, KNF terrorists opened fire on the patrol team. In retaliation, the army men returned fire, killing two members and injuring several others. The duo was involved with the bank robbery in Thanchi, the release added.
Three firearms, huge ammunition, walkie-talkie set, mobile phones and uniform were recovered by the army patrol team after searching the area, it said.
Locals said that heavy gunfire was heard in the area from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning. Later, locals informed the police that two bullet-riddled bodies were found lying in the forest. Then the police recovered the two bodies.
Thanchi Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Jasim Uddin said that though the spot falls under the jurisdiction of Ruma police station, it is easier to reach there from Thanchi. So, police from Thanchi police station were sent there.
On April 2, armed robbers looted Sonali Bank in Ruma upazila. They also took away 14 weapons from the police and Ansar members and kidnapped bank manager Nezam Uddin. Two days later, he was released in a hilly area in Ruma.
The day after the robbery, they robbed Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank in Thanchi upazila in a broad daylight. Law enforcers said that KNF men were involved in the robbery.
On April 7, due to a rise in the criminal activities, including bank robbery and abduction, Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed announced a joint operation in Bandarban. The joint forces
comprising the army, BGB, RAB and police have been conducting an operation against criminals in Ruma and Thanchi to recover looted weapons and money. The army is coordinating the operation.
Since the inception of the operation, the joint forces have arrested 78 people, including 22 women, from different areas.