The Voice News:Police have seized more than 20,000 uniforms made for the terrorist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) from a garment factory in Chattogram city. However, the incident raises deeper questions regarding internal power struggles and activities of the “deep state” network in the country.
During a secret operation on the night of May 17, uniforms were recovered from the “Ringvo Apparels” factory located in Noyahat, Chattogram. Factory owner Shahedul Islam and two others—who had brought in the uniform orders—were arrested.
According to police, the order to supply these uniforms came from a KNF member named Monghlaseng Marma, alias “Mong,” who is active in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The charge sheet mentions that the job was executed in exchange for approximately 20 million BDT.
Although the incident was revealed publicly a week later, it has now been confirmed that the entire operation was conducted based on information provided by military intelligence, not the city police.
Multiple sources stated that after a recent fallout with Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman, military intelligence increased surveillance on groups aligned with Yunus. The supply of these uniforms was part of an “internal directive” from a Yunus-affiliated group, coordinated through veteran officials and businessmen within the deep state.
A senior intelligence officer, requesting anonymity, said:
“KNF is trying to establish supply networks not only in the hills but also in urban areas like Dhaka. They now want to procure funds, weapons, and uniforms professionally.”
He added:
“This isn’t just separatism. It’s a high-level game aiming to create political unrest and weaken national security systems.”
Sources mentioned that after the operation, several officers from Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) initially attempted to keep the matter “silent.” Despite efforts to suppress the issue at the request of military intelligence, the information was eventually leaked.
So far, CMP has not held any official briefing on the matter. However, multiple officials anonymously commented that the investigation is still in its preliminary stage and “this is not a typical security issue.”
KNF, active in Ruma, Ruma, Roangchhari, and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban, has been involved in multiple attacks on army and police forces over the past year. They face allegations of extortion, arms trade, and joint training camps with the militant group Jamaat-ul-Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya.
Although they have recently distanced themselves from the jihadist group, KNF has been rebuilding its organizational and logistical capabilities. This time, they attempted to make a commercial city like Chattogram a part of their supply chain.
Security analyst and former intelligence officer Aminul Haque commented that several individuals in the security advisory circle close to Yunus have long tried to run a parallel structure within the country. However, the newly emerging leadership conflict between military intelligence and the Army Chief has disrupted this trend.
He said:
“This is not just a security threat but also a reflection of deep political discord. Especially before the elections, there are questions about how far these groups are willing to go.”
