A total of eight cases were registered in Ruma and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban in connection with attacks on Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank, and the robbery of money and weapons.

Four cases were registered in Ruma Police Station and four others in Thanchi Police Station, banglanews24.com reported.

Bandarban Additional Superintendent of Police Hossain Md Raihan Kazemi confirmed the operation of joint forces.

The accused would be caught soon, he also said.

The operation comes after Thursday night's gunfights between police and members of an armed group who attacked the Thanchi Police Station.

Law enforcers say the attack and the three bank robberies were carried out by the KNF.

People of Bandarban's Thanchi upazila were gripped by fear following the gunfight, which came after armed gangs robbed three banks in Ruma and Thanchi upazilas in a span of 16 hours from Tuesday night and abducting the manager of one of the banks.

The two banks in Thanchi Bazar robbed by the armed groups on Wednesday morning -- Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank -- are within 150 yards of Thanchi Police Station, which is close to an army camp and two BGB camps.

bd-pratidin/GR