The Bangladesh Army has urged the establishment of at least 250 new forward camps in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), amid a sharp resurgence of insurgent activity by the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) and allied tribal armed groups. Senior commanders warn that the deteriorating security environment has turned the CHT into a frontline for national sovereignty.
Escalating Violence and Section 144
Tensions in the CHT escalated after reports emerged that UPDF‑linked groups attempted to inflame communal unrest in Khagrachhari by exploiting a criminal case later found to be fabricated. A government medical board found no evidence of rape, and a Hindu suspect was arrested in relation to the case. Local media reports state that Section 144 was imposed from 2:00 pm on 27 September 2025 in Khagrachhari municipality, Sadar and Guimara upazilas to contain the unrest.
The unrest began after a teenage girl was reportedly raped on 23 September 2025 while returning from private tuition. Relatives discovered her unconscious in a field late at night. Police later arrested the suspect, Shayan Sheel, and placed him on remand.
Armed Groups Rebuild Strength
Under the constraints of the 1997 CHT Peace Accord, the number of army camps in the hill districts had been drastically reduced, and the scope for robust military operations curtailed. Local media reports quoting senior officers indicate that insurgent groups used this security gap to rebuild strength, expand control, and mount campaigns of extortion, abductions, and targeted violence.
Security assessments claim that hill‑based armed groups collected roughly ৳35 billion in extortion over the past year, with the UPDF responsible for approximately ৳10.4 billion. Rangamati accounted for ৳24.4 billion, Khagrachhari ৳8.6 billion, and Bandarban ৳2 billion of that total. Victims reportedly include traders, transporters, farmers, contractors, and ordinary households. Since 2009, as many as 332 people have been abducted and 89 killed, including 16 army personnel.
Cross‑Border Links and External Support
Intelligence reports suggest that the UPDF and affiliated groups maintain at least six camps in Mizoram, India, serving as bases for weapons training and infiltration into Bangladesh. Security officials also allege direct support from Indian intelligence agencies. The Home Minister has said there are credible indications that elements within the Awami League and foreign actors are backing destabilisation efforts in the CHT.
Army’s Call for 250 New Camps
Currently, the Army maintains 210 camps across the CHT — 90 in Khagrachhari, 70 in Rangamati, and 50 in Bandarban. Commanders contend that this is insufficient for the rugged terrain and dispersed insurgent activity.
According to senior officers, 250 additional camps are essential for rapid response along every route, to interdict arms smuggling corridors, and to contain kidnapping and extortion operations. A brigade commander was quoted: “With new camps, we can respond within an hour and prevent insurgents from re‑emerging.” A zone commander in Rangamati added that incursions from Mizoram, equipped with training and weapons, cannot be countered without more forward posts.
Shift in Security Doctrine
Army headquarters sources assert that during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, there was a de facto policy of leniency toward armed groups, allowing them to expand under political protection. That posture is now being replaced by a firm “no compromise” doctrine: no bargaining, no negotiation — only decisive action to neutralise militant networks.
Brigadier General Hasan Mahmud, overseeing operations in Khagrachhari, said the decision to establish new camps lies with the Ministry of Defence. He confirmed that insurgent elements had attempted to exploit the staged rape case to incite communal violence, emphasising that “the Army will play the highest role in protecting sovereignty.”
Strategic Assessment
Analysts argue that expanding the Army’s footprint is not optional but urgent. Mohammad Emdadul Islam asked, “Why did we withdraw camps in the first place?” while Professor Dr Shahiduzzaman warned that without a rapid response network in remote border areas, protecting national sovereignty would be unfeasible.
Assessment
Khaled Ahmed, senior analyst at BDMilitary.com, observes that the Army’s push for 250 new camps is a signal of evolving threat dynamics in the CHT. “The recent unrest shows that insurgent groups are no longer isolated actors pushing grievances — they’ve become hybrid criminal militias with cross-border sanctuaries and political backing. The Peace Accord era of limited engagement has been exposed as inadequate. A robust forward posture is now fundamental not just to stabilise the hills but to send a clear message about Dhaka’s resolve. How the government responds will shape the region’s security trajectory for years to come.”
Timeline of Key Events in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 23 September 2025 | Alleged rape reported in Khagrachhari, triggering unrest. A Hindu suspect (Shayan Sheel) was later arrested. |
| 25 September 2025 | Government medical board confirmed no evidence of rape. |
| 27 September 2025 | Authorities imposed Section 144 in Khagrachhari municipality, Sadar and Guimara upazilas from 2:00 pm to contain unrest. |
| Late September 2025 | Communal riots broke out, with separatist groups exploiting tensions to target security forces and Bengali civilians. |
| September–October 2025 | Security forces confirmed renewed activity of the India‑backed United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), including extortion, kidnappings, and cross‑border incursions. |
| Ongoing | Bangladesh Army leadership calls for 250 new camps to secure the CHT and prevent further destabilisation. |
Ayesha Farid is a regional security specialist focusing on South Asia, with over a decade of experience analysing inter-state tensions, cross-border insurgency, and regional power dynamics. She has worked with leading policy think tanks and academic institutions, offering nuanced insights into the complex security challenges shaping the subcontinent. Ayesha’s expertise spans military doctrines, border disputes, and regional cooperation frameworks, making her a vital contributor to BDMilitary’s coverage of South Asian strategic affairs. She leads the Geopolitics & Diplomacy section at BDMilitary. Ayesha holds a dual master’s degree — a Master in International Relations from the IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs, Spain, and a Master of Public Policy from the Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto, Canada — combining deep academic insight with practical policy expertise.
