UPDF claims member ‘shot dead’ by JSS in Khagrachhari

JSS denies any involvement in the killing

A member of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) has allegedly been shot dead in the Panchari Upazila of Khagrachhari.

The victim has been identified as 28-year-old Apon Tripura, also known as Sangram from Padmini Para village.

The incident occurred around 11:30am in Barkona, Aungya Marma, an organiser for the UPDF Khagrachhari unit, said in a media statement.

Khagrachhari Superintendent of Police (SP) Mirza Sayem Mahmud confirmed the report, noting that a police team had been dispatched to the remote location to retrieve the body.

"The incident is true, but we have yet to recover the body. The recovery is taking time due to the inaccessible nature of the terrain," the police officer said.

According to the UPDF statement, a group of 15 to 20 armed "criminals" from the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) had been lying in wait in the Barkona area.

The UPDF claimed Apon was shot at close range.

The UPDF condemned the "cowardly and heinous" act and demanded immediate legal action.

The JSS, however, has denied any involvement in the killing.

Sajeeb Chakma, the party's assistant information and publicity secretary, dismissed the allegations as "baseless and motivated".