One of the top-notch leaders of the outlawed Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Enayetullah Ujjal, is said to be the bomb-maker and recruiter of the suicide attackers in Gazipur.

The death toll in the twin JMB carnage rose to 10 when the assistant public prosecutor, Anwarul Azim, succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital yesterday, sinking his family and the mournful residents further into an abyss of sorrow.

In yesterday's early morning drive, the law enforcement members recovered a near-complete powerful bomb, explosive materials, manuals, two flasks, iron pellets, wires, voltmeter, pan, three cell phones and a list of targets in Gazipur from the house of the about 26-year-old militant, also known as Jewel and Walid.

The bomb was to be blasted in the town at 9:00am yesterday, he told the investing officers. Hailing from Barshapara of Kotalipara in Gopalganj, Enayetullah was the JMB's in-charge of the Gazipur district.

The local administration declined to make any official comment on the arrest and barred journalists from talking to and taking snaps of the militant.

Following statements of JMB suicide squad members Milon Islam Mithu and Akash, arrested at Chittagong on Sunday night, police raided Enayetullah's house at the Telipara village, Chandana, Joydevpur at 4:00am.

Police also picked up his wife Swapna, 24, one-and-half-year old child and caretaker Monir from the house, which was owned ironically by a former National Security Intelligence officer Nesar Ahmed.

Enayetullah confessed to making the two deadly bombs blasted on the bar council premises on November 29 and in front of the deputy commissioner's office two days later, sources said.

He also admitted to handing over a bomb to suicide bomber Abdur Razzak, held after the blast on December 1.

Claiming himself as a once-close associate of the militant kingpin Mufti Hannan, Enayetullah said he assisted the operations commander of the Harkatul Jihad (HuJi) Bangladesh chapter in making the 76kg bomb planted near the rally stage of Sheikh Hasina in July, 2000.

Meanwhile, locals and neighbours told The Daily Star that the bomb-maker introduced himself as a lungi trader, saying that he had a shop at the Joydevpur crossing.

He rented the tin-roofed three-room flat two months back. "The curtain on the veranda of his flat remained drawn all the time, and his family refrained from having any communication with neighbours," a local told this correspondent.

His wife lived behind veils for most of the time and hardly came out of the flat, said Sufia Begum, the next door neighbour of Enayetullah.

Locals also said they saw no one coming to the house, adding that Enayetullah might have been communicating through his cell phone with others.

However, the owner of the house said he was not aware of the real identity of Enayetullah. He told over phone that he lived at Uttara and his caretaker used to rent the flats on his behalf.

After the raid at Telipara, police brought the three arrestees to the office of the superintendent of police (SP) in Gazipur.

The bomb expert disclosed locations of some JMB dens in Gazipur during the primary quizzing. The police then raided different mosques and locations to pick up 26 persons.

Sources said JMB chief Abdur Rahman financed construction of several Ahle Hadith mosques in the district.

Police produced eight persons, mostly JMB suspects, before the court yesterday afternoon with remand prayers.

JANAZA, BURIAL
Hundreds of people gathered to have a last look on advocate Anwarul Azim on the bar association premises. His family and colleagues broke down in tears when the body was taken there at 1:30pm.

Azim clung on to life for six days with severe wounds in both legs and burns caused in the blast on November 29.

About 1,000 people attended his namaz-e-janaza held at Rajbari near the DC office.

His colleagues, local lawmakers and political leaders delivered blistering remarks condemning the recent suicide attacks and demanding punishment of the attackers.

He was buried at his home in Talabah in Kaliakoir upazila, Gazipur. He is survived by his wife, daughter Tumpa (13), and son Tonmoy (6).

EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS CLOSED
Authorities of the schools in the surrounding areas postponed scheduled examinations for the next few days, citing panic among students and guardians.

Rumours were rife that militants will specifically target girls' schools. The militants have threatened to shut down schools saying "girls don't need study", said Asma Jalal, headmistress of the Joydevpur Government Girls' High School, which is very close to the DC office.

"The guardians have put pressure on us to keep the school closed," Asma said. She added that she has postponed the exams until December 8. "Many of the injured and dead are relatives of my students; it's tough for them to the attend classes and exams."

She said 50 girls fainted on Thursday as the wounded were being taken by the school.