Army seizes large cache of weapons in raid on KNF hideout in Bandarban

The army recovered a significant quantity of weapons and ammunition in a raid on a Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) hideout in the remote hill area of Munlai Para, Ruma upazila, Bandarban, on Thursday.

The raid, conducted based on intelligence, led KNF members to flee, leaving behind their weapons and equipment, according to a press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

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.

The KNF is an armed group that is active in the hill districts. 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, 14 weapons were looted from police and Ansar personnel, bank manager Nejam Uddin was abducted, and funds were stolen. In response, 22 cases were filed—14 at Ruma police station, four at Thanchi, three at Rowangchhari, and one at Bandarban Sadar police station.

Joint operations have so far led to the arrest of 120 KNF members and associates and the recovery of 14 bodies of KNF members.