Police in Chattogram city have seized more than 20,000 uniforms being made for the terrorist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) from a garment factory — an incident now raising new questions about internal power struggles and “deep state” networks operating within the country.
In a covert operation conducted on the night of May 17, city police raided the ‘Ringvo Apparels’ factory in Nayahat, Chattogram, and seized the uniforms. The factory’s owner, Shahedul Islam, was arrested along with two others who had reportedly brought in the order for the uniforms.
According to police, the order for the uniforms came from a KNF member active in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Monghlaseng Marma alias “Mong.” The deal was allegedly worth nearly BDT 20 million (approx. $180,000), according to official documents.
Although the incident became public nearly a week later, it has now been confirmed that the operation was initiated not by city police but based on intelligence provided by military intelligence.
Multiple sources indicate that following tensions with Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman, military intelligence increased surveillance on Yunus-aligned factions. The uniform supply was reportedly part of an “internal directive” within a Yunus-affiliated network, organized by veteran figures from the deep state and associated businessmen.
A senior intelligence officer, requesting anonymity, stated:
“KNF is not just active in the hills anymore — they are attempting to establish a supply network in cities like Dhaka. They are now looking to acquire funding, arms, and logistics through professional channels.”
He added:
“This goes beyond separatism — it’s a high-level game aimed at creating political instability and weakening national security structures.”
Sources said that after the operation, several officers from Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) initially tried to keep the incident “silent.” There was an attempt to suppress the issue at the request of military intelligence, but the information eventually leaked.
So far, CMP has not held any official briefing on the matter. However, several officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed:
“The investigation is still in its early stages — but this is not a routine security issue.”
Over the past year, KNF has been involved in multiple attacks against the military and police in Bandarban’s Ruma, Rowangchhari, and Thanchi upazilas. The group faces allegations of extortion, arms trafficking, and jointly running training camps with the militant organization Jamaatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya.
Although recent reports suggest some distancing from the militant group, KNF appears to be rebuilding its organizational and logistical capacity. This latest effort was an attempt to integrate a commercial city like Chattogram into its supply chain.
Security expert and former intelligence officer Aminul Haque commented that members of Yunus’s inner circle — particularly those acting as “security advisors” — have long attempted to operate a parallel structure within the country. However, growing conflict between military intelligence and the Yunus-aligned leadership appears to be disrupting this effort.
In his words:
“This isn’t just a security threat — it reflects a deep political conflict. Especially ahead of elections, there are growing concerns about how far these factions are willing to go.”
