<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">The Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) on Friday briefed the media about the details of the recent operation in the forested hills of Bandarban and Rangamati that saw the arrest of 10 militants and separatists.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">The main purpose of the drives by the elite force was to capture those who are taking shelter and taking training there after tracing their location, Commander Khandaker Al Moin, director of Rab’s legal and Media Wing told the briefing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rab spokesman disclosed that the arrestees included seven members of newly launched militant outfit Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya and three members of the armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) from Bandarban and Rangamati.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">They were arrested on Thursday night, said Commander Moin. Rab started their drives in these areas on October 9.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The arrestees were identified as: Sayed Maruf Ahmed alias Manik, 31, of Sunamganj, Imran Hossain alias Shaon, 31, of Pirojpur, Kawsar alias Shishir, 46, of Jhenaidah, Jahangir Ahmed alias Jonu, 27, of Sylhet, Md Ibrahim Ali, 19, of Barishal, Abu Bakar Siddique alias Bappi, 23, of Sylhet, Rofu Mia, 26, of Sunamganj, and the members of the separatist group Jouthang Sang Bom, 19, Stephen Bom, 19, and Mal Som Bom, 20, of Bandarban.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“The arrestees confessed that they had an agreement with a separatist group (KNF) to provide them shelter and training in exchange for money,” said the Rab officer.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 2021, the Amir of Jamatul Ansar fil Hindal Sharqiya had an agreement with the CHT-based armed group KNF regarding militant training in the area till next year. As per the agreement, Tk 3 lakh per month and food expenses of all KNF members were to be borne, according to the briefing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“In this regard, details can be known after interrogating the three of the separatist group,” said Commander Moin.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We are conducting drives through the remote hilly areas (mostly 2,500 feet high) and deep forests where they (militants) are hiding. They are also changing their location, sensing our presence,” he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">More than 50 militants were being trained at the militant camps in the CHT area, he added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rab officer also referred to the recent cases of some young men missing from their homes and most of those still missing are hiding in these dense remote areas.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said there is no incident of any militant or separatist being injured during the drives. The law enforcers involved in the operation were also safe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Regarding the tourist ban in Bandarban, the Rab Commander said local administration has imposed a temporary restriction on visitors in Ruma and Rowangchhari upazilas from October 18 morning as a security operation was going on. “They will lift the ban once our operation is over here.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said the separatist groups who are assisting the militants will be brought under justice. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>