Special combing operation in Bandarban

"About 2000 members of Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Rifles, divided into 50 groups, have launched the operation," sources said.

It has been launched at the directive GOC, Chittagong, they said.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

BDR sources said that in last one and a half months, security forces seized five AK-47 rifles, one M-16r, eight 12-bore rifles, one sub-machinegun (SMG), one light machinegun (LMG), about 1000 bullets, two cartoons of explosives, some combat uniforms and empty magazines.

BDR official said Alekkhong and Baisari in Naikhonchhari upazila close to Myanmar border is in the focus of the special operation as several sophisticated arms were recovered from the area in previous operations.

They said about 30 foreigners, who were suspected terrorists were arrested in Bandarban district so far this year. Most of them were Myanmar nationals.