Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have arrested four suspected top operatives of banned militant outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), including its chief coordinator for the northern region, in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur.
The elite force also seized one pistol, one revolver, two magazines, three bullets, and huge collection jihadi books and leaflets from their possession during the raid.
Rangpur RAB 13 Commanding Officer Md Mozammel Haque confirmed the matter during a press briefing at the RAB 13 battalion headquarters in the Alamnagar area of Rangpur city on Tuesday.
“Acting on a tip off, a special operational team of the Anti-Militancy Cell of RAB-13 conducted raids in different areas of the upazila on Tuesday, and arrested the JMB militants with arms, ammunition, jihadi books and leaflets,” he said.
The arrested JMB militants include its chief coordinator for northern region Abdur Rahman Biswas alias Fuad alias Niaz, 22.
The other arrested JMB operatives are Akhinur Rahman, 23, Lokman Ali alias Korban, 55, and Mizanur Rahman, 38.
“Abdur Rahman Biswas is the son of spiritual leader of JMB Moulana Md Abul Kashem, who was arrested by the Counter Terrorism Unit from Dhaka’s Mirpur in 2017,” Mozammel said.
Since arrest of his father, Abdur Rahman Biswas had become more active in JMB’s organizational activities and taken charge as chief coordinator for the northern region, the RAB 13 CO added.
“During primary interrogation, Abdur Rahman Biswas informed us of plans for conducting various subversive activities in the northern region as well as other parts across the country,” Mozammel further said. “The arrested JMB operatives were regularly taking part in secret organizational meetings, inspiring innocent youths to become members, enlisting new members locally, preparing a database of their members, conducting training programs, etc.”
Mozammel also said the arrested JMB operatives had plans to steal money from NGOs and kill eminent personalities in different parts of the country.
The suspected JMB militants were handed over to Taraganj police station after the filing of two cases, one under the Arms Act and the other under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
