Two US nationals of Bangladeshi descent were detained at Lengpui Airport in Mizoram and deported from Aizawl due to alleged plans to establish contact with leaders of the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNA/F), Indian media reports.
Intelligence sources reportedly flagged the arrival of four US citizens on May 2, traveling on tourist visas. Two of the individuals were identified by single names — "Chekun" and "Saron" — while the identities of the other two remain unclear.
The group allegedly intended to meet KNA/F leaders, including Nathan Lawncheo Bawm, the founder of the Kuki-Chin National Front and its armed wing, the Kuki-Chin National Army. Bawm’s current location is unknown, but the organization is known to be active in Bangladesh’s Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT).
According to the report, the group planned to travel from Aizawl to Lawngtlai district and visit refugee camps housing members of the Bawm community near the border.
Two Bangladesh-origin Americans played key roles in the early development of KNA/F in the CHT and remain involved in supporting subversive activities in the border region, local media reports claim. Authorities were reportedly alerted in advance and acted accordingly to prevent potential security threats.
The KNA/F has allegedly been changing its acronym — from KNA to KNA/A, and most recently to KNA/F — in an effort to cause confusion about its identity and operations.
