Bangladesh has achieved enviable success in curbing militancy and terrorism, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General (DG) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun said on Friday.
"We are continuing to fight militancy. We are monitoring militant activities in the cyber world. All the law enforcement agencies are working together to curb militancy. That is why militants have not been able to demonstrate their capabilities. Even still, we will not suffer from complacency. I am always alert,” he added.
The RAB DG made the remarks during the unveiling of a sculpture erected in honour of the two policemen killed during the Holey Artisan Bakery terror attack in 2016.
"We have already deregulated 18 militants. We are in constant touch with them so that they do not get involved in militancy again. We are continuing our efforts," he said.
"If anyone wants to leave the path of militancy and come to the right path, we urge those who have not yet been involved in any crime to come to the path of peace through de-radicalization."
Al Mamun said: "Six years ago today, on July 1, 2016, 20 people, including three Bangladeshis, were killed in a tragic incident at the Holy Artisan restaurant. At that time, two police officers were killed while on duty. For those who have died, we pray for forgiveness and peace for their souls.”
He said RAB has always been playing a strong role in curbing militancy and terrorism. He recalled how Colonel Azad, late head of RAB's intelligence branch, was killed while on duty in an anti-militancy operation in Sylhet.
The RAB DG also gave a description of the raid at the Holey Artisan. "We took full control of the area within 12 hours and created an environment to conduct the campaign.”
He said RAB has arrested more than 1,500 militants since the Holey Artisan.
Notable among them are Amir Sarwar Jahan, the main planner of the attack, as well as Shariful Islam Khaleq and Mamnoor Rashid Ripon, who were involved in financing and planning.
The RAB DG further said: "Different forces are conducting joint operations against the militants. As part of a zero-tolerance policy against government-declared militants, we have launched a coordinated operation to dismantle militant networks and hideouts.”
