Local militants claiming to be IS members

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday said investigators identified all home-grown militants, but found no members of IS in Bangladesh.

“There is no room for militancy and terrorism in the country.... Investigators in the meantime have identified all members of home-grown militant outfits and necessary actions are being taken in this connection,” he told the inaugural function of a regional passport office here.

The minister said defeated forces of 1971 and militant forces like JMB (Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh) are almost the same as they have been unleashing terrorist activities including killing, bombing and arson attack using different names at different times.

“This quarter is using names of different militant groups such as JMB, HuJI [Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami] and claiming themselves to be IS members, but they are home-grown.”

Terming militancy a global crisis, Asaduzzaman said radicalism is not confined to any particular territorial boundary. “We are committed to not allowing militants to set up dens on the holy soil of Bangladesh.”

He urged all concerned to build a strong resistance against militant outfits and terrorists and gear up the ongoing anti-militancy campaign by forming different committees in each locality throughout the country.

Director General of Department of Immigration and Passports Masud Redwan, DG of Border Guard Bangladesh Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan and local parliament members were present, among others.