Army operation in CHT arrests 3 UPDF members, seizes firearm and ammunition

A gunfight broke out as Army personnel confronted a group of armed men on motorcycles in Guimara

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has announced the arrest of three criminals, including Post Collector Ronel Chakma of the hill region armed organisation UPDF (Main) group, and seized weapons, ammunition and extortion material in an operation in the Budangchhara area of Guimara in the Chattogram Hill Tracts.

An Army team conducted the operation on Saturday afternoon based on verified information, according to a late-night ISPR press release.

"The Army team took up positions in the Budangchhara area. Around noon, when several armed criminals came by on two motorcycles, they called on them to stop. Ignoring the challenge, the armed criminals opened fire on the Army personnel. The operation team immediately returned fire in self-defence."

The ISPR said that UPDF (Main) member Sathoai Marma, 32, was shot in the neck, and two others, Ronel Chakma, 28, and Sar Ching Marma alias Raju, 22, were arrested at the scene.

Following the operation, an AK-22 rifle (with magazine), six rounds of live ammunition, one fired bullet cartridge, and related equipment were recovered from the scene.

The injured Sathoai was immediately given first aid and then taken to the Ramgarh Upazila Health Complex. He was later transferred to Chittagong Medical College Hospital in police custody for advanced treatment. He is currently out of danger, the press release said.