The shootout between the rival gangs also left an indigenous girl with bullet wounds

Witnesses said Anwar (his rank unknown), part of an army team that confronted the gunmen in Korongatoli village, died on the spot. Warrant Officer Moshiur Rahman and 13-year-old Kalindi Chakma were flown to the Combined Military Hospital in Chittagong with bullet wounds, sources said.

The confrontation came after the army team rushed to the outlying village to control two indigenous groups who exchanged fire over an apparent turf war.

Major Hamid of Khagrachhari Army Regional Headquarters yesterday confirmed that the army team traded fire with the gunmen in the Khagrachhari Army Operational Area.

"When the army engaged with the gunmen in Korongatoli, they opened fire on them (army) before fleeing the scene," he said, adding the army returned fire with 15 bullets but did not suffer any casualty.

But intelligence officials in the district headquarters quoting their field staffer (FS) said they heard a soldier was gunned down, but declined to confirm it immediately.

Sources said Kalindi suffered bullet wounds in the shootout between the indigenous factions and the soldier died as the gunmen opened fire on the army team.

In another development, an employee of a local shop was abducted from Anadabihar area in Rangamati town yesterday, police said.

Up to 12 gunmen stormed the shop and bundled Bhuvonjoy Chakma, 30, into an autorickshaw shortly before noon. They made off immediately, the duty officer of Kotwali Police Station said.

Joint forces raided several places in town after a general diary was filed by the Ananda Department Store, but could not rescue Bhuvonjoy, the officer added.