Coordinated attacks on banks in Bandarban’s Ruma and Thanchi

The vandalised Sonali Bank Thanchi branch in Bandarban.

Bandarban, April 3 - In a daring escalation of violence, armed assailants, believed to be members of the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), carried out robberies at Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank branches in Thanchi Upazila, Bandarban, following a similar attack at a Sonali Bank branch in Ruma upazila.

On Tuesday night around 9:00 pm, a group of 70-80 armed men surrounded the vicinity of Ruma Upazila Parishad, overpowering the security personnel at Sonali Bank, commiting vandalism and looting. The attackers abducted the bank manager.

On the following day, Thanchi Bazar witnessed a similar assault around 12:30 pm. The attackers stormed both Sonali Bank and the adjacent Krishi Bank, taking hostages and ransacking the establishments. This culminated in the theft of several individuals' mobile phones and the firing of blank rounds, causing widespread alarm.

Hla Swee Twai, manager of Krishi Bank's Thanchi branch, recounted the terrifying moments when the assailants corralled employees and customers, posing questions on the security of the bank's assets.

Abdul Karim, Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) in Bandarban, confirmed the brazen attacks on the banks, the looting of cash and taking the bank officials hostage.

The sequence of events began with creation of chaos in Thanchi Sadar market, where the armed group fired shots and commandeered mobile phones, setting the stage for the bank attack. The total monetary loss remains undisclosed.

In the wake of these incidents, banking operations in Bandarban have been curtailed, with ATM services suspended and enhanced security protocols implemented. Thanchi Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Mamun confirmed the robberies but could not provide details on the stolen sums.

Local law enforcement officials, including Jasim Uddin, Officer-in-charge of Thanchi police station, and Saikat Shahin, Superintendent of Bandarban Police, point to KNF's involvement in these orchestrated attacks.

Deputy Commissioner Shah Mojahid Uddin spoke of ongoing efforts to recover the abducted bank manager and restore normalcy. Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, having assessed the situation firsthand at the Sonali Bank branch in Ruma, vowed to take decisive measures against the perpetrators. - UNB