On Wednesday, April 3, members of the Kuki-Chin Nationwide Entrance (KNF), a hill separatist armed group, launched an assault on Sonali and Krishi Banks in Thanchi, Bandarban. In the course of the assault, they looted 15 lakh taka from the money counter of Sonali Financial institution and seven lakh taka from Krishi Financial institution. Nevertheless, their makes an attempt to open or break into any financial institution vault have been unsuccessful.
On the evening of Tuesday, April 2, KNF members launched an assault on Sonali Financial institution in Ruma. In the course of the assault, they tried to breach the financial institution vault however have been unsuccessful. Moreover, they kidnapped the financial institution supervisor, Nizam Uddin, who has been rescued on April 4. Moreover, they seized 14 firearms from the police and Ansar members chargeable for safety.
In response to police and eyewitness states, the abductors arrived in Pahari Chand’s automobile and initiated their assault. They first entered the mosque positioned on the entrance of the Ruma Upazila Complicated, the place they assaulted worshipers, confiscated cash and cellphones, and held them at gunpoint.
Subsequently, they focused Nizam Uddin, who was engaged in prayer, and forcibly took him. Upon coming into the adjoining financial institution workplace, they vandalized the CCTV digicam, laptop methods, and the inside. Regardless of using the supervisor’s key, their makes an attempt to open the vault proved unsuccessful. They then kidnapped Nizam Uddin and transported him to an undisclosed location.
A number of eyewitnesses to the terrorist assault on the financial institution in Ruma reported that following an 8 pm energy outage, the attackers dispersed into smaller teams and positioned themselves across the Upazila Parishad complicated. They blocked the passage at Bethelpara, resulting in Ruma Upazila headquarters, halting autos, bikes, and pedestrians. The assailants confiscated cellphones, forcing people to imagine a susceptible place. Comparable actions have been noticed on the junction of Ruma Authorities Excessive Faculty, the place the attackers break up into two groups-one heading in the direction of Bethelpara and the opposite in the direction of Chandapara. Roughly 100 militants, clad in KNF uniforms and armed with refined weaponry, orchestrated the operation.
Inspector Common of Police (IG) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun visited the scene on April 3. Whereas the IG of Police was inspecting the aftermath of the assault, abduction, and theft at Sonali Financial institution in Ruma Upazila, KNF members launched simultaneous assaults on Sonali Financial institution and Krishi Financial institution in Thanchi Upazila, adjoining to Ruma. Regardless of their efforts, the militants have been unable to breach the vaults. As a substitute, they resorted to looting cash and cellphones from the money counters and clients, additional escalating the state of affairs into chaos and mayhem.
Faisal Huda, the supervisor of Sonali Financial institution Thanchi department, reported that round midday, a gaggle of 5 to 7 people entered the financial institution, brandishing weapons. Moreover, there have been 10 to 12 armed males stationed outdoors. An estimated quantity of 15 lakhs was current on the cashier’s counter, which the assailants seized. As they departed, they fired their weapons. Adjoining to Sonali Financial institution, the Thanchi department of Krishi Financial institution skilled an identical ordeal, with armed people looting two and a half lakh taka from the cashier.
Eyewitnesses recounted that in the course of the assault on Sonali Financial institution in Ruma, greater than 100 KNF members have been current, whereas in Thanchi, there have been roughly 20 to 25 assailants. All perpetrators have been outfitted with refined firearms. Residence Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal acknowledged KNF’s alleged involvement in financial institution robberies in each Ruma and Thanchi of Bandarban. Nevertheless, detailed data relating to the incidents is but to be totally ascertained. Assuring motion, the federal government pledged to deal with the state of affairs comprehensively.
Residence minister hinted at a joint operation, stating that the Kuki-Chin is a militant group whose exercise has not too long ago escalated. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police are presently engaged within the operation, with studies indicating ongoing gunfire. Following the financial institution robberies, police and BGB forces have intensified their operations within the affected areas. Moreover, military personnel are anticipated to affix the operation to bolster safety measures.
Safety analyst and retired Main Md. Rezaul Karim commented on the financial institution theft incident in Bandarban, highlighting vital safety lacks. He emphasised the orchestrated nature of the assault, suggesting doable collusion with insiders, together with informants throughout the financial institution. Rezaul Karim famous the symbolic assertion of energy by the assailants and emphasised the difficult nature of the operation, given the world’s sensitivity and dense inhabitants. He identified the presence of police and Ansar barracks within the neighborhood as further elements contributing to the gravity of the state of affairs.
The style wherein they approached the Ansar camp, disarming them earlier than launching the financial institution assault, showcased their strategic management. Most astonishing was the practically hour-long execution of terror actions with none legislation enforcement intervention. Their seamless operation revealed a big failure on our half. This incident underscores the essential function of training in enhancing future safety measures.
In response to police findings, the terrorists meticulously deliberate their operation, capitalizing on elements akin to frequent energy outages in Ruma upazila from 8 pm to 9 pm. This era coincides with Taraweeh prayers, drawing crowds away from the upazila complicated, the place banks accumulate vital funds for month-to-month salaries and Eid bonuses. Though unsuccessful in looting Sonali Financial institution, CID officers from Dhaka confirmed the intact quantity of BDT 1 crore 59 lakh 66 thousand within the vault. CID Extra DIG Shahnewaz Khaled verified this data upon reaching the scene yesterday afternoon.
KNF launched an assault on the Sonali Financial institution Ruma department final Tuesday evening, looting 10 police weapons, 4 Ansar weapons, and over 400 rounds of various ammunition. Subsequently, a joint operation involving the military, police, and different safety forces was initiated. Nevertheless, efforts to recuperate the looted weapons and ammunition have been unsuccessful to date.
Officers and workers of all ranges working in Ruma Upazila staged a day-long strike on the previous day in condemnation of the kidnapping of Nizam Uddin and the terrorist assault on the financial institution. Within the afternoon, they organized a protest rally and shaped a human chain on the premises of Ruma Upazila Parishad. Concurrently, the Hill Constituent Meeting carried out a protest march and rally in Bandarban metropolis to denounce the assault. Kazi Mujibur Rahman, the Central Chairman of the group, chaired the rally.
This night, Afzal Karim, the Managing Director of Sonali Financial institution, disclosed that the kidnapped financial institution supervisor, Nizam Uddin, who was taken by KNF terrorists, has been reached out to. With out specifying when or how the contact was established, Afzal Karim assured that the kidnapped supervisor, Nizam Uddin, is in good well being. Efforts are underway to safe his launch. Moreover, Afzal Karim talked about his intention to journey to Chittagong to supervise the state of affairs. Moreover, directives have been issued to make sure heightened safety measures for the financial institution in the course of the Eid holidays.
Since its institution in 2017, the Kuki-Chin Nationwide Entrance (KNF), also referred to as the Bam Celebration, based by Natham Bam, has demonstrated its energy by way of varied means, together with assaults and kidnappings. The KNF emerged as a comparatively new armed group within the hills, commencing operations round mid-2022. Regulation enforcement authorities beforehand knowledgeable the media that members of Jamaat Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya, a newly shaped militant group within the plains, acquired armed coaching at hideouts within the hills, together with these managed by the KNF. Consequently, legislation enforcement carried out raids on these hideouts final 12 months, ensuing within the arrest of a number of members of Jamaat-ul-Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya and KNF. Notably, the KNF made headlines final Tuesday evening with the theft of Sonali Financial institution in Ruma, Bandarban.
In Could of final 12 months, a ‘peace institution’ committee was established, chaired by Zilla Parishad chairman Kyshaihla Marma, with the goal of reintegrating KNF members into regular civilian life. The committee engaged in a number of discussions with KNF representatives. Nevertheless, the scheduled peace talks with KNF, set for April 22, have been canceled by the peace settlement committee in mild of prevailing circumstances. The newest dialogue between the events occurred on March 5.
Safety analysts speculate that the armed teams’ assault in Bandarban might have worldwide connections, suggesting a danger of arms and gasoline provide from throughout the border. They urge safety forces to stay vigilant to stop the Kuki-Chin Nationwide Entrance-KNF from receiving exterior help. Moreover, analysts spotlight the perceived shortcomings of detectives on this incident, emphasizing the necessity for improved investigative measures.
