Panchhari Correspondent, CHT News
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Increased and heightened operations by the Bangladesh Army in Panchhari, Khagrachhari, have triggered significant anxiety and panic among local Indigenous residents.
According to local sources, at around 8:30 PM yesterday, July 31, 2026, a large contingent of army personnel in a convoy of 12 vehicles deployed from the Panchhari Sub-Zone to the Moratilla area in the No. 5 Ultachhari Union. The troops initially took up positions at the local Moratilla Government Primary School. While a portion of the troops later returned to their camp in four vehicles, the remaining personnel moved on foot toward Prafulla Para and positioned themselves in the nearby forested area. Locals reported that drones were spotted monitoring the area this morning, August 1.
In a separate development yesterday at around 2:00 PM, an additional 30 to 35 army personnel arrived on foot from the direction of Dighinala, entering and taking up positions in the Batte Para area of the No. 2 Chengi Union. To reinforce them, another group of 40 to 45 soldiers left the Panchhari Sub-Zone at around 3:30 AM today, August 1. They traveled by vehicle to the lower Pujgang Tripura Bil area before proceeding on foot through Tapida Para and Rajkumar Para to reach Batte Para.
According to the latest reports, another unit of army personnel has entered the Taraban area in four additional vehicles.
The abrupt escalation in military activity has fueled deep concern and panic among the local population. Residents express fears that this could signal an impending increase in crackdowns and harassment in the region.
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