3 KNF members killed in ‘gunfight’ with joint forces

Three members of Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) were killed in a gunfight between KNF and joint forces at Ruma upazila in Bandarban.

At this time, army personnel recovered firearms, ammunition and equipment from the KNF hideout.

The incident took place on Sunday (May 19) morning in Debachhra area on Ruma-Rwanchhari border.

The deceased have been identified as Edithang Bom (24), Rualsang Nuam Bom (23) and Rualmin Lian Bom (20), all were residents of of Phiangpidaung Para adjacent to Durgam Ronin Para of Rowangchari upazila.

According to local sources, in the morning, the security forces raided the hideout of KNF in Debachra area on the border of Ruma and Rowangchari upazilas of the district. At that time, there was a heavy firing between the army and members of the KNF. Three KNF members were killed in the intermittent firing. Two of them died on the spot and another died of injuries.

The sources said the members of the joint forces have recovered the bodies of the victims from the scene and brought them to Ruma headquarters.

Meanwhile, after this incident, other members of KNF left the hideout and fled to the dense forest of the mountains. Later, the joint forces recovered three firearms, bullets, KNF uniforms and various tools used by the ‘terrorists’ from the spot.

An official of the joint forces, on condition of anonymity, said the KNF was defeated in the joint force's attack. At this time, the members of the joint forces surrounded the border areas of Ruma and Rowangchari.

Bandarban Superintendent of Police Saikat Shaheen said the police have not received the bodies yet. Details will be given when the police team returns from the spot.

In this regard, Ruma Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Atiqur Rahman said the incident took place at Debachhra Jhiri on the border of Rowanchari-Ruma. Members of Ruma Army Zone participated in the operation. It will be possible to provide details when the members of the joint forces return from the operation.

Earlier on May 7, a KNF member was killed in a gunfight with the army at the remote Darjeeling neighborhood of Ruma upazila.

Earlier on April 28, two people were killed in the shelling of KNF with the army in the forest of Remakri Prangsa union of Ruma.

Before that, on April 22, a member of the KNF was killed in a gunfight with the army in the remote Munlai neighborhood of Ruma. At that time, a large amount of weapons, ammunition and equipment used by KNF were recovered from the scene.