Bangladesh Army personnel on Wednesday night destroyed a temporary hideout of the Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA) in the remote hilly area near Prata Bom Para, officials said on Thursday.
The camp was located close to a polling centre between Thanchi and Ruma upazilas, and was discovered during a routine patrol after intelligence reports indicated militant activity in the area.
Major Anwar, deputy commander of the Baktalai Para army sub-zone, led the operation. According to military sources, the militants fled the site upon sensing the presence of troops.
During a search of the abandoned camp, soldiers recovered a locally made gun, a machete, several items of equipment and cooked food. Officials suspect the food was forcibly taken from nearby villages.
The KNA, the armed wing of the separatist Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), had remained largely inactive following joint forces operations after a series of bank robberies and arms looting in 2024.
However, intelligence sources said KNA activity has recently increased in remote areas of Ruma and Thanchi.
Locals reported that KNA presence has risen in villages where the Bom community has returned after previously fleeing to the border forests.
Areas such as Baktalai Para, Prata Para, Thandui Para, Sherkar Para, Tamlo Para, Painyam Para, Silopi Para and Thin Dolite Tala have seen heightened militant movement, causing growing concern among residents.
Following the 2024 bank robbery, joint forces conducted special operations, prompting many residents to seek shelter in nearby forests.
Under the supervision of the Chattogram 24 Infantry Division, authorities from the Baktalai Para sub-zone have since helped 29 families return to their villages.
Locals, however, claim KNA militants are now targeting these returning communities.
