The seized arms and ammunition include one M16 rifle, one submachine carbine, one .303 rifle, 20 detonators, 10 mine-fixing devices, three grenade-throwing handles, mining cable, 14 fuses and 20kg gunpowder. Apart from the GPS equipment, the cache also contains two long-range range-finders, hand microphones, walkie-talkies, five binoculars and a telescope, and antennae.

According to security analysts, the GPS and range-finders, found in the country for the first time, are considered worldwide as highly sophisticated military navigational tools.

A joint group of Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) personnel raided the deep forest of Bhaginajhiri in Naikkhongchhari early hours yesterday and made the recovery. They also demolished three terrorist dens.

The army and border guards also detained six criminals in the last 15 days.

On Wednesday, on being informed, the BDR raided a criminal hideout around the Bhaginajhiri hills and seized 7kg TNT, a M1A1 machinegun, an AK47, one .303 and four M16 rifles, a long-range rocket shell, 3,500 bullets and a 500yard wire. The security forces destroyed the hideout and detained three foreign criminals.

Earlier, three other foreign criminals were held on January 3.

The army's Bandarban regional sources claimed that the criminal camp belonged to the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation, but said the identity of the foreign criminals remained unknown despite continued interrogation.