Dhaka, April 4 -- A day after robberies in two banks in Bandarban's Thanchi, security forces have engaged in an intense gunfight with a group of armed men.

A tourist in Thanchi said the gunfight began around 8:40pm on Thursday.

"Three of us were having dinner at a hotel when gunshots erupted. We fled in the middle of the meal. We're inside a closed shop with the lights switched off. We can hear heavy gunshots. Some locals are also struck here," the tourist said over the phone.

Mohammad Mamun, chief executive of Thanchi Upazila administration, said the police and Border Guard Bangladesh personnel retaliated after a group of armed men opened fire at Thanchi Bazar and the local police station.

"We're hearing gunshots from behind the hosp...