Joint security forces have arrested four people–the driver of a jeep colloquially called "Chander Gari" and three KNF members–in connection with last week’s bank robberies and arms looting in Bandarban’s Thanchi and Ruma upazilas.
On Sunday night, they raided the Suwalok checkpoint in the Thanchi and Bandarban Sadar areas and arrested the KNF’s Bhanunun Nuam Bom, Jeminew Bom, Ame Loncheo Bom and driver Mohammad Kafil Uddin Sagar.
Bandarban Police Superintendent Saikat Shahin said: “On Sunday night, a raid at the Suwalok checkpoint and in Bandarban Sadar resulted in the arrest of four individuals, including the jeep's driver used in the bank robbery. They were then sent to court, and cases are pending against them.”
He also said four armoured personnel carriers (APCs) were brought for Ruma and Thanchi on Monday morning as part of the operations in the upazilas. Considering the situation, the number of APCs may be increased.
On Monday, the KNF issued an indefinite ban on all types of vehicular movement in the areas of Ruma, Thanchi, and Rowangchhari in Bandarban starting at 5pm.
Ruma Bus Owners Association’s Zakir Hossain said since the morning, the movement of public transport and other vehicles remains halted, and locals are not leaving their homes without emergencies.
On Wednesday, KNF members attacked Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank in Bandarban's Thanchi upazila around 12:30pm and looted Tk15,00,000 from Sonali Bank and Tk2,45,000 from Krishi Bank.
Earlier, the gunmen broke the vault of Sonali Bank in Ruma upazila of Bandarban at around 8:30pm on Tuesday and looted around Tk2 crore.
