Daily Star, Sat. September 20, 2003
http://www.thedailystar.net/2003/09/20/d3092001011.htm
Star Report
Army and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) forces have seized a huge stash of modern firearms and highly powerful ammunition raiding terrorist and criminal bases in Bandarban and Rangamati and arrested an alleged gang leader after firefight in Khagrachhari.
Sources said the BDR paramilitaries raided two terrorist hideouts in the deep forest of Dochhari in Bandarban's Naikkhongchhari upazila on Thursday night.
They recovered 130 kilograms of powerful plastic explosives, 26 containers of
other explosives, 226 grenades, 61 M-16 rifle bullets, 18 containers full of
chemicals, 50 time-regulating watch used in explosive devices, a shotgun, 12
detonator boosters, 40 battery connectors and a range of other accessories.
Ammunition experts of Bangladesh Army suspect the arms and ammunition might have been gathered to launch 'massive subversive activities'. They, however, did not give details.
Militant operatives of Myanmar frequent Naikkhongchhari, but it was not immediately clear who used the two dense forest dens.
UNB adds: Acting on a tip-off, a team of army carried out a predawn raid on a criminals' den at Shilapara in Sadar upazila in Rangamati yesterday and seized a cache of arms after a firefight.
They recovered four rifles, three light guns and 30 bullets and some important
documents from the base, but could not capture any of the gang operatives who
melted into the forest after the gunbattle.
Locals alleged that a gang backing the 1997 Peace Agreement on the Chittagong Hill Tracts had long been running abductions, extortion and other crimes from the hideout there.
In Khagrachhari, army men hemmed in a gang, led allegedly by its boss Kiron Joy Chakma, who were lying in wait for tolls from traders at Battoli, four kilometres off the district headquarters yesterday.
In a gunfight that ensued, the army men overpowered the gang and arrested Kiron and seized four bullets from him.
Other operatives managed to escape.
Claiming Kiron as their man, the anti-CHT peace accord group, United People's Democratic Front issued a press release alleging that army arrested him while he was meeting locals.
Locals said traders were waiting with tolls to meet the gang's demand.
The joint forces of army, police and BDR have been carrying out operations in the CHT highlands since September 7 to arrest terrorist and criminal gangs operating in the region, local sources said.
The 21st battalion of the BDR also made several raids in Naikkhongchhari on Wednesday.
Talking to newsmen at Bandarban Brigade Headquarters yesterday, army officers
declined to comment on the men behind the Naikkhongchhari arms buildup.