7 ‘Ansar al Islam’ men held in Dhaka, Pabna

Rab claimed to have arrested seven alleged members of banned militant group Ansar al Islam from separate raids in Dhaka and Pabna districts early yesterday.  

In Dhaka, a Rab-4 team carried out raids in Ashulia and Dhamrai. They arrested five and seized books and digital content promoting extremism, said Mozammel Haque, commanding officer of Rab-4.

The arrestees are Oliul Islam (23), Moazzim Mia (20), Sabuz Hossain (26), Ariful Haque (20) and Rashida (33).

In a press conference at Rab media centre in the capital, the Rab official claimed the arrestees, during primary interrogation, admitted that they were active members of the outfit.

They were trying to recruit fresh operatives, collect funds and had been propagating militant activities online, he added. 

According to Rab, Oliul was arrested in 2019 for his involvement in anti-state activities. He came out on bail after two months and reengaged in militancy. While in prison, he met the other arrestees and continued militant activities through various secret apps and on social media for more than three years, Rab said. 

Madrasa teacher Moazzim stepped into militancy through social media a couple of years ago. His task was mainly to collect funds from like-minded people, Rab said.

Sabuz, an employee at a mobile shop in Savar, and RMG worker Ariful got involved in militancy through Moazzim. Sabuz was admin of a messaging group that propagated militancy and extremism, Rab said.

Rab claimed Rashida, coordinator of Manikganj unit of the militant group, got acquainted with Moazzim through Facebook while she was in Qatar in 2017. She got involved a year ago.  

Meanwhile, a Rab-2 team arrested two men from Pabna. They are Sakib Al Imtihan (21) and Sadat Fahim (20), said Md Mohiuddin Faruqe, a company commander of Rab-2.