Bangladesh Army’s Costly War on KNA: Why Political Dialogue Is the Only Solution

It seems that the massive amount of money the Bangladesh Army and government forces are wasting to destroy the Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA) could have been far more helpful if it had been distributed among innocent Bawm villagers. At the very least, those who can no longer do their jhum cultivation or daily work due to army torture, or those who have fled to the jungle to escape, would at least have food to survive.

In the same way politicians distribute money during election campaigns, the army is now using cash to recruit spies against KNA. Such state tactics are seen as childish strategies by the well-organized leadership of KNF. This was a counter-insurgency method used in the 1970s separatist movements, which is outdated today. Any military expert who thinks KNF can be eliminated through such methods is living in a fool's paradise. KNF can only be brought back to normal life through political solutions. Otherwise, the group will continue to grow stronger and more intense.

Currently, KNF's military wing is much stronger and more organized than ever before. They are already training with drones and short- and long-range missiles in various areas. To destroy enemy bases, one must be prepared — this is a basic and essential strategy of any armed force.

The people the army is now using — those who are being "bought" with large sums of money — are like amphibians; they operate in both water and land. Every step the army takes against KNF, every action, is reported to the KNF Media Wing within minutes. The army’s operations have become laughable.

Although the army or ISPR may not have the record, KNF has full data on how many operations have been carried out against them, how many crores have been wasted, and how many army personnel have been killed or injured. That’s not to say KNF has suffered no losses — some KNF cadres have been killed, and many temporary camps, including headquarters, have been abandoned. But one thing should be clear: insurgent forces do not maintain permanent camps or fixed locations. Like the ticking of a clock, they shift directions and hide in the most strategic places. This is a key tactic of revolutionary soldiers and guerrilla warfare.

We’ve also heard that the Bandarban Region Commander, Brigadier General S.M. Rakib Ibne Rezwan (PSC, NDC) of the 69 Infantry Brigade, has reportedly told senior officers that he will eliminate KNF and resolve its issues socially. It’s said that he is a specially trained commando, with dragon-tiger and eagle head insignias all over his uniform. We’re not mocking his rank or training — rather, we respect him as a proud military officer of the country.

However, what surprised us is his belief that the KNF issue can be resolved socially without political dialogue, or that he can destroy KNF through military operations. Who advised him on this? Comparing KNF with ten other organizations would be misleading. KNF is not a floating group — it’s an organization fighting for its identity and self-determination.

Hundreds of people from the Kuki-Chin communities — including Bawm, Lusai, and Khumi — have been forced to flee to other countries. Hundreds from the Bawm and Khumi communities have been imprisoned without cause. Innocent villagers have been shot dead in broad daylight, children have been labeled KNF and thrown into jail, a fifth-grade boy was shot dead in front of his mother, and even a pregnant woman was raped. How will the Brigadier Sir evaluate these incidents? Will he resolve them “socially”? Can he bring those innocent lives back?

KNF’s demands are not beyond social norms, nor are they unconstitutional or illegal. If the government believes our demands are unconstitutional or unjustified, then come to the table and resolve it politically. Otherwise, KNF will continue its activities.

#BangladeshArmy

#BangladeshArmyChief

~ WAP

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