Hill Voice, July 4, 2025, Bandarban: Four members, including a military commander of the Kuki Chin National Front (KNF), have been killed in an army operation in the remote hilly areas of Ruma upazila of Bandarban. However, a statement signed by ISPR Assistant Director Rashedul Alam on Thursday (July 3) claimed that two people were killed.

Local sources said that on Wednesday afternoon (July 2), an army patrolling group from Ruma Zone left for Mualpi Para via Lairunpi Para in the name of an operation. It is worth noting that an armed group led by the KNF’s Lalmuntrial Bawm had been stationed in Mualpi Para for a long time.

Despite repeated complaints from the villagers and local public representatives, no action was taken by the army and the administration. The KNF cadres were warned before the army left the cantonment on July 2, and therefore the KNF cadres left Mualpi Para early and went to a safe shelter.

But the incident happened on the other side. KNF members took shelter in 3 Jum huts at the head of Chalchara Jhiri. On the other hand, an army patrolling group from Monnuam Par had also left for that direction and the KNF members did not know about it. Even the army group that went from Monnuam Para camp was not aware of the location of the KNF.

The army’s intention was to reach Mualpi Para by night and meet up with the other army group. But as soon as the army reached the Jum area at the head of Chalchara Jhiri, KNF sentries opened fire on the army.

Then and there, the army personnel started a series of brush fire. As a result, 4 KNF members were killed on the spot. But the army reported only 2 deaths. The remaining 2 were left for the KNF by the army.

The deceased members are: 1. Lalrin Awm Bawm (26), son of Towar Thang Bawm, her party name- Dolly, self-proclaimed Major, village-Ronin Para, No.1 Paindu Union, Ruma Upazila; 2. Royal Non Bawm (20), son of Lal Lian Khum Bawm, his party name- Anun, self-proclaimed Warrant Officer, village-Sunsang Para, No.3 Remakri Prangsa Union, Ruma Upazila; 3. Lal Him Sang Bawm (25), son of late Jirkhum Bawm, his party name- Ahim, soldier, village-Munnoam Para, No.1 Paindu Union, Ruma Upazila; and 4. Sangmin Bawm (27), son of Tlang Yang Bawm, his party name- Putin, self-proclaimed Captain (KNF’s Chief Collector), village-Mualpi Para, No.1 Paindu Union, Ruma Upazila.

It is worth mentioning that the KNF was created by the army in 2008 under the name Kuki-Chin National Development Organization (KNDO). Later, in 2019, the KNDO name was changed to KNF. When news spread that Islamic militants were being trained in KNF camps in the remote area of Ruma, the army and the Bangladesh government were forced to take action against the KNF under international pressure.