Three youths were shot dead and two others were reportedly abducted at gunpoint in Khagrachhari’s Panchari upazila on Monday morning.
The incident occurred around 11:30am at Madhumangal Para in the Pujgang area of Chengi union.
According to local sources, five youths were travelling towards Panchari in a battery-run tomtom when a group of armed assailants launched an ambush. The attackers opened fire on three of the youths from close range and took the remaining two away at gunpoint.
Ferdous Wahid, officer-in-charge (OC) of Panchari Police Station, stated that the identities of the deceased could not be immediately confirmed. He added that the police currently lack certain information regarding the motive behind the attack or the identities of those involved.
In the aftermath of the killings, panic spread throughout the locality. To maintain law and order, the army and police have intensified security measures through joint patrols.
In a statement, the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF-Prasit) claimed the incident was a result of internal conflicts within the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS-Santu) group.
Angya Marma, the Khagrachari district organiser of the UPDF, alleged that resentment had been brewing among general members of the JSS (Santu) group due to long-standing irregularities, discrimination, corruption, and nepotism.
He further claimed that members were being forced into conflicts with the UPDF against their will.
The UPDF statement further alleged that the five individuals were targeted while attempting to defect from the JSS (Santu) group on Monday. No comments or statements were available from the JSS (Santu) group regarding these allegations.
