Robbery At Two Banks In Thanchi After Ruma

After crossing the 16 hours miscreants attempted to loot the bank again in Bandarban. It is reported that armed robbers have attacked two more banks in Thanchi Upazila. Two vehicles full of armed men swarmed into the neighbouring branches of the Bangladesh Krishi Bank and Sonali Bank in the Upazila around 12:30pm on Wednesday. Krishi Bank branch Manager Hla Sui Thwai ensured the information.

In this regard Thanchi Sadar Union Parishad chairman Aung Pru Mro told the media that the terrorists entered the market area by three vehicles while firing from their arms around 1:00 pm. Then they entered Sonali Bank and Bangladesh Krishi Bank adjacent to Thanchi High School and left with the cash they got.

Meanwhile the robbery attempt took place around 1:00 pm Wednesday, said the state owned bank’s managing director Afzal Karim.

Speaking to the media he said that they received information of an attack at the Thanchi branch of Sonali Bank. The police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and army men have gone to the spot.

At this time the Krishi bank manager was unable to say whether they had looted money from the bank.

“We are not yet sure what they did inside the bank,” he said. “We’ll be able to say for sure once we look at everything.”

Meanwhile Bandarban Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Abdul Karim said, “We have received reports that a bank in Thanchi was attacked a short while ago.” He also said “We believe the group from yesterday is responsible. There have been no developments regarding the investigation into yesterday’s incident.”

Earlier, members of newly emerged militant group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF)’s more than 100 people looted over Tk 15 million and 14 firearms from the Sonali Bank’s branch in Ruma, Bandarban around 9:00 pm on Tuesday.

A witness, who requested anonymity, said that the terrorists looted 14 weapons from the Ansar members guarding the bank and abducted Nizam Uddin, the manager of Ruma Upazila branch of Sonali Bank, from the mosque during Taraweeh prayers.

Regional director of Sonali Bank (Bandarban region) M Osman Gani told to media on Tuesday night that they have beefed up security at all the banks in that region after the robbery at Ruma branch.