Two rebels with sophisticated firearms from an Arakanese insurgent group, were arrested yesterday, in a forest near the Bangladesh-Burma border by the Bangladesh Army.
 
The arms, which were seized, included one M-16 with a grenade launcher, one M-16, one SAR, and one semi-automatic rifle of Chinese make.
 
The two rebels were identified as Kyan Maung Marma and Ko Oo Sein, who were arrested with the weapons in Bangari Forest of Rwachaungchari Uparzila, under Bandarban District, according to a border source.
 
According to locals, four absconders took eight weapons and ammunition and fled their faction, the Democratic Party of Arakan, and clashed with the Bangladeshi Army near Rwachaungchari recently. The army personnel were only able to capture two of the men - one of whom was killed in the clash - with four weapons in the aftermath of the skirmish.
 
An old Arakanese freedom fighter, who is currently living in the area, confirmed that those weapons were from the DPA, which broke away from the Arakanese Army and took away a significant number of firearms.
 
The concerned people at the DPA, could not be reached to confirm the matter.