JMB man confesses killing attempt

Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operatives led the attack on pastor Luke Sarkar in Pabna to kill him, as “he was preaching Christianity among people”, police yesterday said, quoting the confessional statement of an arrestee.

Arrested JMB regional commander Rakibul Islam gave the confessional statement before a Pabna court on completion of his five-day remand. Judge Rezaul Karim recorded his deposition.

With this, two operatives of the banned militant outfit confessed to their involvement in the attack on Luke Sarkar at his home in Ishwardi.

 “Luke Sarkar was preaching Christianity among people. So the JMB men planned to kill him to stop him from spreading the religion, as they believed it was their responsibility,” Siddikur Rahman, additional superintendent of police in Pabna, told The Daily Star, quoting the confessional statement.

In his deposition, Rakibul said four other JMB men and he planned to kill the pastor.

On October 5, Rakibul, Rakibul Alam Rabbi and Mohammad Shakil went to Luke Sarker's house to execute their plan, police said.

“Rakibul pressed his hands over Luke Sarkar's mouth while Rabbi and Shakil tried to slit his throat,” the statement said. As part of the plan, two others stayed in Pabna town that day.

As the victim screamed and his family members came to his rescue, the trio fled, leaving Luke Sarkar injured.

Rakibul was arrested on October 28 from Majidpur area in Pabna, while police arrested Rabbi and four other suspects on October 12. Shakil is still on the run.

Earlier, Rabbi gave confessional statement before a Pabna court where he said JMB regional commander Rakibul led the attack.

The police claimed that they got some vital information about the activities of JMB in the region from Rakibul's confessional statement.

Luke Sarkar left his rented home in Pabna on October 27, around three weeks after he survived the attempt on his life.