Rangpur Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) 13 has arrested 20 militants in the last two months in Lalmonirhat.
Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, RAB 13 Commander Mozammel Haque said this in a press conference held at their head office located near Station area of Rangpur town Wednesday afternoon.
He said seven militants, five from Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) including the local commander, and two Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) members were arrested during separate drives in Kaliganj and Patgram upazilas respectively.
The commander said: "Acting on a tip-off, we sent RAB's anti-militant detective team to conduct a drive in Bhotmari area of Kaliganj upazila, and arrested ABT's local coordinator Hasan Ali alias Laal, central Sura member Asmot Ali alias Laltu, and military branch members Shafiul Islam Saddam, Jahangir Alam, and Sirajul Islam.
"Meanwhile RAB arrested JMB members Tamizul Islam and Sunnah Islam Sunnah from different places of Patgram upazila."
RAB has also recovered two pistols, bullets, electronic device, gun powder along with numerous jihadi books and leaflets.
Responding to queries from the correspondent, RAB commander said 20 militants were arrested on information that there were plans of sabotaging the upcoming national election.
He said they will continue the drive as they have spotted the main leaders of ABT and JMB, who they will arrest soon.
Many senior RAB officials were also present at the press conference.