9 KNF members held with firearms in Bandarban: ISPR

DE Online Desk:
Nine more suspected operatives of Chattogram Hill Tracts-based group, Kuki-Chin National Front, were arrested with nine firearms arms at a remote hilly location under Ruma upazila in Bandarban during the ongoing joint operation led by Bangladesh Army on Tuesday.
The arrests were made In response to the recent bank robbery, abduction and unlawful activities in Bandarban district.
A media release of Inter-Services Public Relation Directorate confirmed the matter and said that the KNF members were also arrested with ammunition during the drive.
On April 2, the group kidnapped Bandarban’s Ruma upazila branch Sonali Bank manager Md Nezam Uddin and tried to loot Tk 1.5 crore from the vault of the branch. But they were unable to take the money.
They also carried out robberies at Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank branches in Thanchi upazila of Bandarban on the following day.
Later, senior officials of the home ministry, security forces, and administration visited the area.
So far, eight cases have been filed with Ruma and Thanchi police stations in these connections.
On April 7, the joint operation led by the army launched in the hilly district and arrested a good number of the KNF members including its chief coordinator Cheusim Bawm since then.