Khulna under security blanket
JMB suicide attack feared ahead of Eid
Staff Correspondent, Khulna
Khulna city is under a security blanket and police and Rab (Rapid Action Battalion) are on 'high alert' following intelligence reports that JMB suicide bombers may carry out attacks on prime spots or key installations in Khulna city on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha.Fifteen mobile teams, in addition to 25 parties, will remain vigilant in vulnerable areas and the security blanket will continue till january 13, said DC (Hq) Akbar Ali of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP). KMP Commissioner told this correspondent that a manhunt for JMB men is going on following reports that 17 Islamist militants are in the city in the guise of workers and employees of Shiromoni Cable Factory. The KMP Commissioner has issued a circular banning sale of cold drinks at open places on the Eid day. Any body found selling the items will be prosecuted under KMP ordinance, the circular said. Earlier, the Managing Director of the factory in a general diary filed with Khanjahan Ali thana alleged that some Islamist militants are suing the name of the factory to hide their identity. Inspector of City Special Branch of KMP Golam Mohammod is investigating into the allegation made by the MD of state-owned cable factory. Rab members are desperately hunting for most wanted JMB 'operations commander' in Khulna division and its Majhis-e-Shura member Hafez Mahmud following intelligence reports that after he is hiding in Khulna along with some suicide bombers. Rab is following different tactics to net Hafez Mahmud, the sources said. Hafez Mahmud is now the main target of law enforcers including Rab to finish JMB's chain of command in the southwestern region, sources in intelligence agencies said. The government has declared a bounty of Tk 10 lakh for his arrest. "Our operations are going on to finish JMB network in this part of the country", said a senior official of KMP, who is one of those monitoring the drives to arrest Hafez Mahmud. The drive began after arrested Ziaur Rahman alias Shabbir, 'second-in-command' of JMB in Khulna district, gave 'important information' to Rab on whereabouts of Hafez Mahmud, the sources said. Police are also raiding students' hostels and messes in Khulna city. There are some 200 hostels and messes in the city. All student hostels in Khulna city and residential halls of universities and colleges are under watch by intelligence agencies.
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