Brig Gen Nazim-ud-Daula, Director of Military Operations Directorate at the Army Headquarters, says
Brig Gen Nazim-ud-Daula, Director of Military Operations Directorate (MOD) at the Army Headquarters, today said that the army intervened in Gopalganj solely to protect lives under threat, not in support of any political party.
"The incident in Gopalganj was unfortunate, and any loss of life is deeply saddening. But the army acted only after lives were at risk." he told journalists during a press briefing in Dhaka Cantonment.
Regarding the use of force by law enforcers, Nazim said, "A high-level investigation committee headed by a retired judge has already been formed to determine what happened, why it happened, and who was responsible."
He said, "We did not protect any particular group or individual. In Gopalganj, just like in other previous operations, we responded to life-threatening situations. Life comes before political identity."
Responding to criticism about selective intervention, Nazim said, "Be it Gopalganj or elsewhere, our response has been uniform. If anyone's life is in danger, we will not stand idle, regardless of which party they belong to."
Addressing questions regarding providing security to National Citizen Party (NCP), he said, "The army never supports any political party. We did what we have always done -- protect civilians under threat."
On the issue of Major Sadik, who was accused of training political party members, Brig Gen Nazim said the officer is currently under army custody and an investigation is underway.
"If found guilty, he will face action under existing military rules," he added.
STABILITY IN THE HILLS
During the briefing, Col Shafiqul Islam, Colonel Staff at the MOD, said that in the CHT, between July 3–31, ten firearms, nine rounds of ammunition, gunpowder, walkie-talkies, and other items were recovered.
"Seven militants were arrested, including three UPDF members and two yaba smugglers. A significant recovery operation on July 29 in Bagaihat uncovered SMGs, rifles, pistols, and walkie-talkies," he said.
On July 30, an abandoned KNF training camp in Ruma, Bandarban was destroyed.
Armed clashes continue between UPDF and JSS over territorial control, with grenade explosions reported, said Col Shafiqul.
Addressing the issues, Brig Gen Nazim said that the criminal activities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) have increased, and the KNF is expanding its dominance.
"The regional political parties in the CHT, groups we refer to as UPDF, JSS, and similar outfits, have always sought to maintain their control through acts of extortion and kidnapping. They continuously strive to expand their sphere of influence, and in doing so, clashes and gunfights often occur," he said.
Nazim said, "The army is working on this issue and is making every effort to keep it under control. It is important to note that the army alone is not the sole stakeholder in the Chittagong Hill Tracts; the civilian administration and the police are also integral parts of this effort. If everyone works in a coordinated manner, I am confident that we can transform the situation to a more secure environment, which is absolutely necessary."
KNF NOT GAINING GROUND
In reply to a query that KNF is receiving arms from the Arakan Army, Brig Gen Nazim said, "Yes, the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) is receiving weapons, possibly from the Arakan Army, but that is not surprising given the shared ethnic and ideological links. However, it is not true that they are gaining dominance."
Nazim said, "Since their emergence, KNF's operational capability has significantly declined. Though eight army personnel were killed in earlier confrontations, we haven't seen such casualties in recent months."
"Instead, many KNF operatives have been killed, arrested, and their weapons seized. Several of their bases and training camps have been dismantled."
Nazim noted that army operations are ongoing and gaining success.
In reply to another query about the operating procedure in CHT, Col Shafiqul said, "We are effectively operating from our existing camps. Where needed, we establish Temporary Operating Bases (TOBs). There's no operational deficiency."
COUNTRYWIDE OPERATIONS
At the beginning of the briefing, Col Shafiqul Islam provided a summary of the army's operational activities in recent weeks, including anti-crime, anti-drug, and anti-smuggling drives across the country.
From August to July 31, the army recovered 9,729 out of 12,190 missing firearms and 287,000 rounds of ammunition from across the country. In the past four weeks alone, 37 illegal firearms and 179 rounds of ammunition were seized, he said.
A total of 16,459 suspects were arrested since August last year, including 813 in the last four weeks. Those arrested include listed criminals, members of juvenile gangs, drug dealers, and extortionists, said Shafiqul.
"The army has arrested 5,576 individuals for drug-related crimes since last August, including 55 in the past month from areas like Rampura, Mohammadpur, Uttara in Dhaka, and Faridpur."
In reply to a query on why the law and order situation is still not restored, Col Shafiqul said, "All law enforcement agencies must work together to maintain law and order. And those who need to take the lead must become more effective."
"Particularly if you refer to us -- the army has been granted magistracy powers, but the clauses under which we are empowered allow us only to conduct searches and arrest suspects. Once we arrest someone and hand them over for judicial processing, we do not have any further role," he said.
"That is why I say that the law enforcement agencies who are meant to take the lead must become more effective. Only then will we be able to bring the issues you raised under further control," added Col Shafiqul.
