Rab arrests 5 ‘Ansar Al Islam’ men

Rab claimed to have arrested five alleged members of banned militant group Ansar al Islam from Dhamrai in Dhaka district early yesterday.

They are: Mizanur Rahman Palash (35), Nurul Huda (44), Abdur Rashid (21), Rasel (37), and Abdul Hai (40). All of them are from Chapainawabganj.

A Rab-4 team conducted a drive in Dhuliabhita area and arrested them, Mozammel Haque, commanding officer of Rab-4, told our  Savar correspondent.

During the drive, the Rab members also seized several books and   leaflets on extremist ideology and mobile phone sets from their  possession, said the CO. Sajedul Islam, senior assistant director of Rab-4, said the arrestees in primary interrogation admitted that they belong to the militant outfit.  According to Rab, Palash, the coordinator of Chapainawabganj unit of the group, is a trader by profession. He was the admin of at least six social-media-based secret groups which propagate extremism. 

He was a recruiter and fund collector, Sajedul, also a senior assistant superintendent of police, said.

A madrasa teacher, Nurul, joined the militant outfit seven years ago and became a motivator while Rashid, a mason, was an active member of the group.

Filing of a case was underway with Dhamrai Police Station against the arrestees.