KNF Terrorist Group Uniforms Being Made in Chattogram, Yunus-Linked Elements Attempting to Cover Up

Staff Reporter

Police have seized over 20,000 uniforms meant for the terrorist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) from a garment factory in Chattogram city. However, the incident has raised new questions about internal power struggles and the operations of a ‘deep state’ network within the country.

During a covert operation on the night of May 17, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) confiscated the uniforms from ‘Ringvo Apparels’ in Noayahat, Chattogram. The factory owner, Sahedul Islam, and two others who had brought the ‘order’ for these uniforms were arrested.

Police revealed that the order for these uniforms came from Monghlasing Marma alias ‘Mong,’ a member of the separatist KNF active in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The charge sheet mentions that the deal was worth nearly Tk 2 crore.

Although the incident came to light a week later, it has now been confirmed that the operation was not conducted by city police alone but was based on intelligence provided by military intelligence agencies.

Multiple sources indicate that after tensions arose between Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman and Yunus-affiliated factions, military intelligence increased surveillance on the activities of pro-Yunus groups. This uniform supply was part of an ‘internal directive’ from Yunus-linked circles, orchestrated through a network of veteran deep-state officials and businessmen.

A senior intelligence officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, *”KNF is not only active in the hills but is also trying to establish supply networks in urban areas, including Dhaka. They are now attempting to professionally source funds, weapons, and uniforms.”*

He added, *”This is not just about separatism—there is a high-level game at play to create political instability and weaken the security apparatus.”*

Sources say that after the operation, several CMP officials initially tried to keep the matter ‘silent.’ Despite efforts to suppress the information at the request of military intelligence, details eventually leaked.

So far, CMP has not issued any official briefing on the matter. However, multiple unnamed officers stated, *”The investigation is still in its early stages, but this is not an ordinary security issue.”*

Over the past year, KNF—active in Bandarban’s Ruma, Rowangchhari, and Thanchi upazilas—has been involved in multiple attacks against the army and police. The group faces allegations of extortion, arms trafficking, and running joint training camps with the militant organization Jamaatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya.

Although KNF has recently distanced itself from militant groups, it has been rebuilding its organizational strength and logistical capabilities. This time, they attempted to directly incorporate a commercial hub like Chattogram into their ‘supply chain.’

Security expert and former intelligence officer Aminul Haq said that behind this incident lies a long-standing effort by certain individuals within Yunus-affiliated ‘security advisor’ circles to operate a parallel structure within the country. However, this trend is being disrupted due to emerging leadership conflicts between military intelligence and the army chief.

According to the security expert, *”This is not just a security threat but also a manifestation of deep political conflict. Questions have also arisen about how far these circles might go, especially ahead of elections.”*