KNF chief coordinator Cheosim Bawm arrested

A team of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-15 arrested two people, including Cheosim Bawm (55), one of the chief coordinators of the central committee of the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) armed group.

RAB-15 company commander Lt. Colonel SM Sazzad Hossain confirmed this to The Daily Samakal on Sunday afternoon.

The elite force is in operation since Saturday.

According to the RAB, the operation marked a critical step in combating the activities of KNF.

Sazzad said Cheusim is a close associate of Nathan Bawm. Cheusim was collecting money for the organization and providing logistic support, he added.

He said some terrorists visited the residence of Cheusim a few days ago for seeking advice. The bank robberies were staged as per his advice, Sazzad added.

An air gun was recovered from his residence, the RAB official said.

This action is part of a larger RAB initiative against terrorism in Bandarban, which saw over 100 members launch an operation on Saturday, targeting Ruma and Thanchi upazilas.