Google Alert – Bangladesh Army
The Ministry of Home Affairs said on Sunday evening that ‘miscreants’ carried out attacks in Guimara, Khagrachhari, killing three hill community members and injuring scores, including 13 members of the army and three police officers.
The statement, however, did not disclose the names of the dead, nor did it provide details of the incident beyond mentioning the injured security personnel, including Major Mohammad Arif. No explanation was given as to who the attackers were or what triggered the violence.
Faisal Hasan, Public Relations Officer of the ministry, issued the statement expressing “deep sorrow” and confirming that security forces had launched an immediate response to “restore order.” He said a “thorough investigation” was underway and promised that “no criminal will be spared,” though no timeline or specifics were offered.
The ministry urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with the investigation, while withholding further clarification about the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Meanwhile, Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradeep Chakma declared that only government security forces would be permitted to carry weapons in the hill districts. He called for tighter administrative control to protect lives and property, but offered little detail beyond broad assurances. “All communities—both hill and Bengali—must come together to restore peace,” he said, while stressing that extortion remains a major obstacle to development.
Chakma made the remarks at a special law-and-order meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner ABM Iftekharul Islam Khandaker. Senior figures from the army, police, political parties and civil society attended, including Hill District Council Chairman Shefalika Tripura, Zone Commander Lt. Col. Md. Khademul Islam, SP Arefin Jewel, tribal leader Ravi Shankar Talukder, and BNP’s district secretary MN Abshar.
The present unrest stems from the alleged gang rape of a schoolgirl in Singinala on 23 September. Her father filed a case against three unidentified suspects, and police, with army support, arrested a 19-year-old the following day. Beyond confirming the arrest, authorities have not elaborated on the progress of the case.
In response, activist group Jumma Chhatra-Janta announced road blockades on Saturday demanding the arrest of the remaining accused. The blockades brought widespread disruption to Khagrachhari, intensifying a situation where details remain scarce and official explanations limited.
BBC Bangla adds: In the aftermath of the violence, images and videos began circulating on social media showing shops and businesses ablaze in Ramsu Bazar—locally known as Marmader Bazar—in Guimara Upazila, along with footage of individuals apparently shot during the unrest.
Activists affiliated with the Jumma Students’ Movement allege that homes and commercial establishments belonging to indigenous (hill) communities were deliberately torched during the clashes. Conversely, local Bengali residents have accused armed groups from the hill communities of instigating the attacks and setting properties on fire.
Early reports on social media claimed that “some army personnel were attacked” at the outset of the violence. However, neither the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) nor the district administration has issued any official statement confirming or addressing these allegations.
Deputy Commissioner ABM Iftekharul Islam Khandaker told BBC Bangla around 3 pm that he and Superintendent of Police Arefin Jewel had immediately departed for Guimara upon receiving news of the incident. However, local journalists reported that due to road blockades erected by protesters along the route from the district headquarters, administrative officials were unable to reach Guimara until approximately 5 pm, significantly delaying the on-ground response.