The decision came as two BDR battalions are overstretched in guarding the 288km Naikkhanchhari-Thanchi border. The 176km-long border lies unguarded as BDR men posted in 18 border observation posts can only cover 112km, according to army statistics of Bandarban region.

State Minister for Environment and Forest Zafrul Islam, who is also in charge of the district, said, "This step does not come all on a sudden."

Emerging from a meeting held at the deputy commissioner's (DC) office yesterday, the minister said, "The government is already informed about beefing up border security and has already agreed in principle."

The meeting was convened following recent recovery of 20 AK47 rifles and 7,716 rounds of ammunition in raids by Rab and BDR. Government and civil high-ups, politicians, civil society members and BDR representatives, Chairman of Bandarban hill district council Mya Mya Ching, DC Sheikh Alauddin and Superintendent of Police Iqbal Bahar were present at the meeting.

According to Bandarban security agencies, BDR men at Naikkhanchhari, Alikadam and Thanchi border were kept on alert since July after the arrest of foreigners at the borders. Huge number of firearms including 47 AK47 assault rifles and 22,000 rounds of ammunition were recovered during raids in this period.

"The firearms seized earlier were old, recently seized firearms include German made 16 new 9mm pistols and as many Walther pistols," said Adjutant Lieutenant of Bandarban zone Lutfur Rahman. "There were some Pakistan-made heavy machineguns and British-made LMGs (light machineguns)," he added.

Security sources said Bangladesh's land border with Myanmar is with Bandarban district only. Although there are two BDR battalions at Naikkhanchhari and Thanchi, it is not possible for them to keep the 288km border free from infiltration of criminals and arms dealers, the sources added.

Experts said deployment of the new BDR battalions would enable the establishment of control over the entire bordering area.