Jan 20: Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested a suicide squad member (Ehsar) who was JMB Commander and a close associate of Bangla Bhai from Charmatha Bus terminal(The Independent)

area of Bogra and based on his confessional statement they arrested another JMB leader and recovered a huge quantity of bomb making ingredients, electronics devices, detonators, ammunition and explosives from the same district.

The arrested have been identified as Ashraful Islam alias Arsad alias Abbas Khan alias Arafat (22), son of late Alhaj Hazrat Maulana Abdullah Khan Salafi of village Sukhdon under Nilphamari district and Abdul Mannan Pramanik alias Mansur, son of Nazmul Haque of village Sohagipara under Nandigram thana of Bogra district.

According to sources of RAB, the arrested Ashraful joined in JMB in 2000 and during mid 2003 he was promoted as an Ehsar and in 2004 he was appointed Commander of Sherpur thana of Bogra district. Considering the importance of the thana, Sherpur was elevated to the status of JMB organisational district. From April-2004, Ashraful joined Bangla Bhai in Bagmara and worked as one of his close associates. He used to move with Bangla Bhai in every operation in Bagmara, Atrai and Raninanagar thanas. During interrogation, Ashraful admitted to the RAB members that he kept a huge quantity of arms and explosive with one Mansur, another JMB leader and a close aide of arrested JMB surah member Abdul Awal, son-in-law of JMB supremo Shaikh Abdur Rahman. Based on his confessional statement, RAB members recovered those arms and explosives from the house of Mansur and arrested him from the spot.

The arrested Mansur confused to the police that he was a class mate of JMB surah member Abdul Awal and used to read at Mohammadia Arabia Madrasha in Jatrabari. He joined the JMB in 2000 and was elevated to the post of Ehsar in mid-2000 and was given the charge of Commander of Mymensingh district. In 2001, he was appointed Commander of Chittagong district and used to stay at Khulsi area from where he used to conduct operational activities of Chittagong district. In late 2003, he returned to his own home town and conducted activities of JMB.

Sources from Bagmara said, Mansur was also a close aide of Bangla Bhai and used to conduct various operation with Bangla Bhai at Bagmara, Atrai and Raninanar thanas.

Mansur admitted to the RAB members that he got a huge consignment of arms and explosives from Ashraful which he kept stored underground at Uttar Shahpara village under Sherpur thana of Bogra district. Acting on his information, RAB members went to Uttar Shahpara village with Mansur and Ashraful and around 6-30 pm recovered those arms and explosives kept in a plastic drum by digging earth near the house of Shish Mohammad, son of late Hasem Uddin Biswas, and near the wall of the house of Bangmata Biswas. The following explosives were kept inside the drum: Sulphur-6.500 Kgs, Lead Styphanite-4.800 kgs, Gun powder-1.000 kg, Beeswax-1.000 kg, Sulfuric Acid-5.000 ltrs, Silica Gel-.2 kilogram, Chalk powder-50 gms, Putty (Korea)-100gms, Liquid Adhesive-500gms, Wire Double ply-25 yrds, Range 01, Cutter player-01, Nut, bolt & spring-800gms, Plastic jug(2 litre)-01, Plastic jug(1 litre)-01, Jug Glass (1 litre)-01, Jug Glass (400 ml)-02, Jug Glass (200 ml)-02, Funnel-03, Hand gloves-06 prs, Safety pipe pipette filler-02, Thermometre-05, PH Indicator paper-01 pkt, Sprite lamp-01, Plastic Jar-01, Glass jur-03, Unknown device-01, Bty plate-03 prs, Ring with pin for Grenade-2.300 kgs, Highly Inflammable Chemical mixed Cotton 08 pkts, Tape Insulating-07 roll, Plastic Container Binded with various bullet (for Small grenade) and Ball-08, Various size steel ball and peace of Iron-01 kg, Plastic Container Empty-12, Tin Container Empty-05, Switch with circuit-25, Switch without circuit-203, Indicator bulb-250, Plastic Body for Switch-34, Balance-1 set.

RAB said, the explosives were highly powerful and a bomb making factory could be made with the help of the recovered explosives and bomb making ingredients.

BDNEWS from Faridpur adds: Police early Friday arrested two Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) members including the Faridpur district commander from Nagarkanda and Bhanga Upazilas.

Two arrestees were identified as Amir Hossain (26) and Abdullah (32).

Police sources said, acting on a tip-off, a team of Faridpur police with the assistance of the Bhanga policemen arrested Amir Hossain from a rented house adjacent to the power office.

He, later, identified himself as the JMB Faridpur district commander.

Meanwhile, following the lead from Amir Hossain police on the same night arrested another active JMB member Abdullah from Bhanga village under Nagarkanda Upazila.

Abdullah is director of an NGO Al Manar Islami Sangstha and Manar Kindergarten and Amir Hossain is also a teacher at the institution.

Faridpur police super said both the arrestees are active JMB members and they are being interrogated.