The Bangladesh Army has recovered firearms and ammunition following a gunfight with members of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF-Prosit) in Jagapara village in Panchhari upazila of Khagrachhari district, according to an Army press release.
It stated that, based on intelligence information, a team of army personnel from the Panchhari sub-zone under Khagrachhari Sadar Zone conducted a raid in the early hours of Saturday at the residence of a suspected active UPDF member Jagapara village of Panchhari upazila.
Sensing their presence, around 15 to 20 armed UPDF members opened fire targeting the army personnel. The army returned fire, leading to an exchange of gunfire after which the militants fled the scene.
A subsequent search led to the recovery of one Russian pistol, two magazines, eight rounds of ammunition, 200 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a walkie-talkie set, used military uniforms, and various other military supplies.
Jasim Uddin, officer-in-charge of Panchhari Police Station, confirmed that legal proceedings are underway against several identified militants, including UPDF’s military wing members – Bhuban Tripura and Suman Chakma.
Meanwhile, in a statement signed by Niron Chakma, head of the UPDF press section, the group’s organizer Angya Marma denied the incident, calling it false and staged drama.