2 bodies finally recovered from Atia Mahal

The bodies of two militants, who had blown themselves up at the Atia Mahal hideout in Sylhet's Shibbari area during 'Operation Twilight', have finally been recovered by law enforcement officials. The bomb disposal unit of Rapid Action Battalion recovered the two bodies from Atia Mahal around 5:45pm Monday, RAB-9 Commanding Officer Lt Col Ali Haider Azad told reporters at a press briefing. The identity of the deceased militants could not be ascertained as their faces were deformed in the explosions caused by their suicide vests, he added. RAB members have begun clean up of the debris inside the building, but it will take time to complete the work as they have to take extra caution. Before removing the debris, the bomb disposal unit is to investigate if any improvised explosive devices (IED) remain in the ruins. The operation to recover the bodies and clean up Atia Mahal began around 8am on Monday. Lt Col Azad said it would take several more days to complete the cleanup operation. Police cordoned off the hideout on March 24. Army para-commandos joined the raid the next day. 78 people were rescued and all four militants died in the operation. Bodies of two militants were retrieved on March 27. The fire service, City Corporation, police and a medical team are assisting the bomb disposal unit. The cleanup operation has been suspended after the recovery of the two dead bodies and will resume around 10am Tuesday.