CTTC Chief Monirul Islam told media on Saturday that Abdullah, a militant who had escaped from a militant den in Jhenaidah on April 22, was among the unidentified deceased at Operation Eagle Hunt in Chapainawabganj.
The arrested Sumaiya Khatun, wife of militant Abu Ali who died in the raid, had informed police that two of the deceased militants were from Jhenaidah, the CTTC chief said.
“One of the militants matched a photo of Abdullah we had on file,” Monirul said, adding that Abdullah had converted to Islam from Hinduism.
The CTTC chief also said that the Chapainawabganj den appeared to be a New JMB store house, as the explosives recovered seem to have been brought in from outside.
Armed members of the police SWAT and Counter-terrorism Unit outside a militant den in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj AZAHAR UDDIN
When asked how the militants were being financed, CTTC Chief Monirul said: “Some people send money from abroad, and those who join the militant organization sell off their property and donate the money earned as well. The Bangladesh Bank is scrutinising transfers to find the financiers.”
Monirul added that some New JMB members may be involved in counterfeit currency trading, with the vast majority of such currency flowing in from one particular country. This country also produces counterfeit Indian currency.
The CTTC chief further said that a number of foreign embassy officials had been expelled from Bangladesh for the financing of illegal activities that may include militancy.
Abu Ali and three other militants died in a two day long anti-terror operation in Chapainawabganj on Thursday, code-named Operation Eagle Hunt. The hideout used by the militants was rented under the name of Abu in February this year, allegedly to serve as a residence for him and his wife Sumaiya Khatun.
While Abu and the three other militants blew themselves up, Sumaiya, who is three months pregnant, surrendered to authorities with her four-year-old daughter at 5:30pm on the second day of the operation.