Brigadier General Hasan Mahmud, Regional Commander of the Army in Khagrachhari, alleged that the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) is exploiting the recent rape incident to create unrest in the hill tracts. He warned that the ripple effects could destabilize all three hill districts. “There are major national events ahead, and UPDF is staging incidents with outside militants to sabotage them,” he said. General Hasan added that premeditated violence erupted across the city, followed by clashes in Guimara that left three dead. He held UPDF responsible for the killings. Meanwhile, Section 144 remains in force in Khagrachhari for the third straight day, with checkpoints set up at entry and exit points.