http://www.thedailystar.net/2003/10/04/d31004011010.htm

Daily Star, Sat. October 04, 2003

Bombs, arms recovered from 2 CHT districts

Our Correspondents from Bandarban and Khagrachhari

Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and army personnel recovered five bombs weighing 1.5kg each and a firearms from remote hilly areas of Naikhangchhari in Bandarban and Mahalchhari in Khagrachhari in the last two days.
Three youths reportedly belonging to the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), which opposes the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) peace accord, were picked up in this connection.

BDR sources said the bombs were recovered yesterday in 'prime condition,' meaning 'ready for explosion'. BDR troops have kept vigil on the spot as army explosive experts are likely to reach there by tomorrow to defuse the bombs.

A BDR team from Naikhang-chhari zone led by Captain Anwar raided an abandoned camp at Nimtali and found the bombs. The camp is five kms from Bangladesh-Myanmar border, the sources said.

Two weeks ago, the BDR recovered huge arms, ammunition and other things from the same area. These included 130 kg plastic explosive, two containers of sulphuric acid, 226 hand grenades, 310 grenade throwers, 50 time bomb clocks, 14 chemical containers, two cellular phones, three wireless sets, three solar panels and five electric coils

The BDR stepped up border patrol following the recovery.

On Thursday, a patrol team of army from Noonchhari camp recovered a firearms from Gamari Dhala area of Mahalchhari upazila in Khagrachhari. Three youths said to be UPDF members were detained in this connection.

Meanwhile, superintendent of police of Bandarban said, "All arms and ammunition were not surrendered to the government after the signing of the peace accord and it has to be probed whether those are now changing hands."

Some sources noted although huge arms and ammunition were recovered in Bandarban over the last couple of months, it was not discussed at the regular monthly meeting on law and order in the district.