Police raiding places to arrest Tamim, Zia

The law enforcers are getting information from people about Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury and sacked Maj Syed Ziaul Haque after they announced Tk20 lakh bounty on each of the duo, believed to be behind the series of militant attacks including the Gulshan carnage “Many people have given us information about the duo. We have launched drives scrutinising the information in different areas. But they could not be arrested,” DMP Additional Commissioner and chief of Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit Monirul Islam said yesterday. “We have found a few dens where Tamim and Zia stayed for some time. But they managed to flee those houses evading arrest. Raids to arrest them are on,” he added. No one has been arrested in the murder case though the law enforcers have questioned a number of suspects and witnesses including police officers in the last one month. The investigators detained six to seven persons under section 54 on suspicion and interrogated them in remand. “If Hasnat Reza Karim and Tahmid Hasib Khan provide any solid information which proves their involvement in the attack, they will be shown arrested in case,” Monirul said without giving the exact number of persons questioned so far. Hasnat and Tahmid were arrested on August 3 and later put on eight-day remand for their dubious role during the hostage crisis. They were questioned for several days in custody after their release minutes before the joint operation was launched on July 2 morning that killed five militants and a chef. Twenty-two people including 17 foreigners and two police officers were killed and dozens others injured in the attack. Police say a new faction of banned militant outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh carried out the dreadful attack. The law enforcers are also cross matching some photos and video clips of the duo with the attackers at the Holey Artisan Bakery that have created hype. Meanwhile, Monirul urged reporters to contact with the investigation officer before publishing “so-called investigative reports” as they may create misunderstandings. “We hope good sense will prevail.” He also asked people to provide the law enforcers with photos, videos and any other evidence they come across. “We have already got a lot of pictures.” The official claimed that they had made significant progress in the investigation. “We have identified the possible planners, financiers, arms suppliers and trainers of the militants. We will inform the media if anyone is arrested,” he said.