Time line of KNF bank robbery

The bank robbery at Ruma and Thanchi upaziilas in Bandarban has shook the country to the core as it was first such terrorist attack on the country’ sovereignty in many years. Here is a time line of the events to get an idea how they gradually unfolded.

7:00pm – March 5: four cae filed over KNF bank robberry
Police have so far filed four cases in Ruma and Thanchi of Bandarban in connection with bank robbery, and kidnapping of bank manager. Out of this, 3 cases have been file with Ruma and one with Thanchi police station.

It is known that the cases were filed on Friday (April 5) afternoon. Kuki-Chin terrorists are mentioned in the case. More than four hundred unidentified accused have been made accused in four cases.

Bandarban Additional Superintendent of Police Hossain Md Raihan Kazemi confirmed the news. He said the accused in the cases are unknown. Law enforcement forces are conducting operations to nab the attackers with the help of CCTV footage, fingerprints and eyewitnesses. However, no accused has been arrested in the case so far.

5:00pm – March 5: Home Minister is going to Bandarban
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal is going to Bandarban tomorrow four days after the bank robbery separatist rebels Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF).

He will visit Ruma Upazila Complex and the bank that was robbed at 11:00am on Saturday (April 6).

The minister will be accompanied by Bandarban and Rangamati lawmakers, Bandarban Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police (SP).

After visiting the bank, he will exchange views and talk to reporters at Bandarban Circuit House at 12:30pm.

Mentionable, the separatist organization KNF surrounded the mosque of Ruma Upazila Complex in Bandarban, abducted bank officer Nezam Uddin and ransacked the bank on last Tuesday (April 2).

The next day, Wednesday (April 3), they surrounded the Thanchi Bazaar and ransacked two branches of Sonali and Krishi Bank and looted Tk 17.45 lakh from the bank counter and the people present.

Kidnapped manager Nezam Uddin was rescued from the hills of Bandarban on Thursday (April 4) evening after paying the ranon demanded by the KNF. Today, RAB handed him over to the family.

12:00pm – March 5: SB branch manager Nizam returns to family
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has handed over bank manager Nizam Uddin to his family members after rescuing him from the abductors.

Imran Khan, assistant superintendent of police (ASP) of the RAB headquarters media wing, confirmed the matter on Friday morning.

Earlier on Thursday night, RAB members rescued the bank manager from Bathel Para area of Bandarban through mediation, he said.

On Thursday afternoon, Nizam Uddin’s wife, Nazmul Nahar, said armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) demanded Tk 15 lakh from his family as ransom.

The separatist group kidnapped the Sonali Bank’s Ruma upazila branch manager on Tuesday, April 2, and tried to loot Tk 1.5 crore from the vault of the Ruma branch. Unable to take the money, they kidnapped the bank manager.

They also carried out robberies at Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank branches in Thanchi upazila of Bandarban on Wednesday.

11:00am – March 5: Security tightened for banks in Khagrachhari
In the wake of bank robberies in Bandarban’s Ruma and Thanchi upazilas, tight security measures have been taken for public and private banks stationed in Khagrachhari district. Deputy Commissioner Md Sahiduzzaman said this on Friday morning.

He said there is no concern over the security. However cautionary measures have been taken following the bank robberies in Bandarban.

DC Sahiduzzaman said the number of police personnel has been increased at the banks for security.

The banking security issue was discussed with importance in the core committee meeting, the DC added.

On Tuesday night, armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) abducted Sonali Bank’s Bandarban Ruma upazila branch manager Nizam Uddin.

They also carried out robberies at Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank branches in Ruma and Thanchi upazilas on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.

The Rapid Action Battalion rescued the abducted bank manager on Thursday night and took him to his family on Friday morning.

11:00pm – March 4: Tense situation prevails in Thanchi after heavy gunfight
A tense situation is prevailing in Thanchi Bazar after the security forces engaged in an intense gunfight with a group of armed men.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Chattogram Range Police Nure Alam Mina said that the gunfight was stopped around 11pm on Thursday.

He said that the suspected members of banned terrorist outfit KNF opened fire on Thanchi Police Station from the east and south sides of the Thanchi Hill around 8:30pm prompting retaliatory fire by the law enforcers.

Later, the BGB and army personnel posted there also opened fire on the militants, he said.

"The situation is calm now. However, the situation is tense here. We are on alert," he added.

The gunfight triggered panic among the locals in the market and adjacent areas, said Additional Superintendent of Police Raihan Kajemi.

A Sonali Bank branch in remote Ruma Upazila was robbed on Tuesday night after the separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front or KNF aka the Bawm Party members kidnapped the branch manager Nizam Uddin.

Later, they demanded Tk15 lakh ransom to free him on Thursday.

The abducted manager was rescued from the Bathel Para area of Bandarban through the mediation of the Rapid Action Battalion on Thursday evening.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal vowed for taking stern action against those who were involved in armed attack and bank robbery in Bandarban.