EC alerts BSF after China-made arms recovered near Tripura border

Dhaka, February 5: The Bangladesh Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in two days long search has recovered 10 China-made rockets, firearms including other arms and ammunition from a forest area near Tripura border. Three cases were registered regarding this matter.

Ten Chinese-made rockets were recovered from a bunker, RAB Legal and Media Wing Chief Mufti Mahmud Khan said. “The 40mm high explosive rockets can strike and destroy tanks and cars from 1,500-metre distance.”

The official could not say whether any terrorist or militant group had planned to use the rockets. Separatist groups in the border region may have been stocking them, Khan said.

A bunker was also discovered in the hills in the area. RAB officials said the weapons may have belonged to an Indian separatist group.

RAB had previously seized mortar shells, rocket launchers, machine guns and other explosives from the park. RAB conducted five raids in the area in 2014.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission asked border security forces to be extra vigilant following recovery of rockets and bunker in Bangladesh along Indian border of Khowai.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sriram Taranikanta said that the matter was informed to security regulatory authority of the state and also directed BSF to interface with it’s counterpart for ensuring step up vigil in the bordering locations.