Two members of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF-Prasit Group) were killed in separate incidents of gunfire in Ramgarh and Dighinala upazilas of Khagrachhari on Wednesday, police and local sources said.
In Ramgarh upazila, a UPDF member was killed during an exchange of fire between an army patrol team and armed militants in Pramotola area in the morning.
The deceased was identified as Bobin Tripura, 32, a resident of Majartila area in Ramgarh. Another person, Mongsanu Marma alias Jibon, 29, was injured in the incident.
Police said armed assailants opened fire on a patrol team of the Sindukchhari zone of the army, prompting retaliatory fire in self-defence. Bobin Tripura was hit during the exchange and died on the spot.
An AK-47 rifle was recovered from the scene, and one person was detained in connection with the incident, law enforcement officials said.
Ramgarh Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Nazir Alam said the body remained at the spot and legal procedures were underway. Security has been tightened in the area, with joint forces conducting operations.
However, UPDF organiser Angya Marma rejected claims of an exchange of fire, saying there was no clash between the group and the army.
He alleged that Bobin Tripura and another activist were shot when security forces opened fire, and condemned the incident. The army’s version could not be independently verified.
In a separate incident in Dighinala upazila in the afternoon, another UPDF (Prasit Group) member, Sujan Chakma, 48, was killed in a gunfight in the Babuchhara area, police said.
Police and local sources said the incident occurred during a clash between rival armed groups over territorial control.
Sujan Chakma, a resident of Tarabunia area who was reportedly acting as a local “collector,” died on the spot.
Dighinala Police Station Officer-in-Charge Iqbal Bahar Chowdhury said police recovered the body and three bullet casings from the scene.
Law enforcement officials said Sujan Chakma was linked to the UPDF (Prasit Group), and the incident was believed to be connected to internal rivalry and control over local influence.
UPDF organiser Angya Marma alleged that members of the rival JSS (Santu Larma faction) were involved in the killing, though no immediate response from the JSS was available.
Security has been stepped up in both upazilas, and investigations are ongoing, police said.
