DHAKA: Security agencies of Bangladesh on Sunday apprehended a senior commander of a tribal insurgent group suspected to have links with an Islamist terrorist organisation, officials said.
The elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which have personnel from the army, navy, and air force alongside police, has confirmed the arrest of Cheosim Bom, a key organiser of the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF).
The development comes days after the banned outfit looted state-owned banks and kidnapped a bank manager in the southeastern hills.
RAB’s region commander Lieutenant Colonel HM Sajjad told media that the terrorist commander was hiding inside a locked locker during the raid at his home on the outskirts of the town of Bandarban.
He said Cheosim Bom as is the top commander of Bandarban-based KNF’s and a close aide to its chief fugitive Nathan Bom.
Military-led clampdown started against KNF
Meanwhile Bangladesh Army Chief General Shafiuddin Ahmed is on a visit to Bandarban where he said a military-led clampdown against the KNF has begun to wipeout the terrorist outfit.
He said some of the KNF members were apprehended and arms were recovered from them.
Last year Bandarban’s autonomous hill district council chief Kya Shai Hla tried to convince KNF members to return to normal life under a peace treaty.
But the process was derailed as the outfit carried out two attacks on state-run banks, looted arms from security guards, and kidnapped a bank manager last week.
The manager was released after three days through talks, but the KNF’s latest act forced the tribal district council chief to suspend the peace negotiations.
Security officials have stated the KNF emerged as a militant group mostly comprising people from the Christian-majority Bom tribe.
