The top three leaders of newly-emerged militant organization Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya have left the mountains and out of reach of the law enforcers.
Anisur Rahman alias Mahmud, the top leader or Ameer of the militant organization, Maimun, the head of dawah branch, and Rakib, the head of finance and media wing, are on the run.
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officials believe that the militant leaders are still in the country and currently hiding somewhere. Regular operations are being conducted to arrest the trio.
Law enforcers have so far arrested 68 members of the outfit from the hilly region. They were being trained by separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF).
Among the arrests are 15 youths who left homes and joined the group. According to RAB, another 40 youths are still unaccounted for.
Besides, 17 members of the KNF, a new armed organization, have also been arrested on charges of training Jama'atul Ansar members.
After the law enforcers began a joint operation in the hills late last year, several members of the militant outfit splintered away and are on the run. In the meantime, the new recruits have undergone several stages of training, the law enforcers said.
These members have the ability to carry out sabotages inside the country and are a threat for the country's security, said RAB. KNF chief Nathan Bom's good relationship with Anisur Rahman developed through Shamim Mahfuz, the advisor of the militant outfit.
Later, they entered into an agreement with Nathan in exchange for money. As per the agreement, the KNF started providing shelter, weapons and training to the newly formed militant outfit in the hills.
Commander Khandaker Al Moin, director of RAB's legal and media wing, said the top leaders of the militant organization used to motivate the new recruits and used to visit them from time to time in the hills.