Anti Terrorism Unit chief Additional Inspector General SM Ruhul Amin on Thursday said the ATU wants to investigate terrorist financing as the funds are coming not only from South Asia but also from various parts of Europe.
“Currently, only the Criminal Investigation Department has the authority to investigate such activities under the existing laws. However, the specialized police units ATU and Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) are requesting amendments to the laws, and a proposal has been made,” said the ATU chief in response to a question from journalists in Rajshahi.
The additional IG further said no one should be complacent about terrorism and that terrorists will always try to outsmart intelligence agencies.
“We must always be vigilant so that they cannot outsmart us,” he said.
The ATU boss claimed that terrorists are no longer organized but are still operating online to incite militancy.
“The ATU is trying to nab them,” he added.
Earlier, the ATU chief participated in a workshop on the role and techniques of beat and community policing in combating terrorism, organized by the ATU and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
The workshop was also addressed by Rajshahi Range DIG Md Abdul Baten and Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) Commissioner Anisur Rahman.
Abdul Baten praised the efficiency of the Bangladesh Police in the Holey Artisan attack and emphasized increasing surveillance to obtain information in advance on terrorists and extremists by integrating modern technology.
“There is no alternative to community and beat policing in combating terrorism,” he said, urging police officers to fulfil their responsibility sincerely.
RMP Commissioner Anisur Rahman claimed that some vested groups are trying to create an unstable situation in Bangladesh and that the police have a zero-tolerance policy on terrorism and extremism.
