Two ‘Neo JMB’ men held

Police yesterday claimed to have arrested two operatives of militant group “Neo JMB”, who were allegedly involved in last year’s bomb attacks on a Krishak League office and a garage belonging to the law enforcers in Khulna.

The arrestees -- Nur Mohammad Anik (24) and Muzahidul Islam Rafi (23) -- are students of Khulna University and active operatives of the group, police said.

They were arrested during a raid in the city’s Gollamari area. Police also recovered bomb making materials from their possession, Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner Khandaker Lutful Kabir told reporters at a press conference in his office.

Kabir claimed that both the arrestees in primary interrogation admitted their involvement with the attacks.

Police officials said the arrestees got radicalised by watching videos of various militant groups. They acquired expertise in making improvised explosive devices and other bombs, and planned the attacks, they added.

As part of their plan, they rented houses in different areas of the city and did recces before the attacks. The bombs they exploded during both attacks were remote-controlled, the police official said.

At least two persons were injured in the attack on Krishak League office on September 23 last year while a motorcycle was damaged in another bomb attack on a police garage on December 5.

Terrorist group Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibilities of both the attacks, according to US-based SITE Intelligence Group.

Replying to a query, the KMP commissioner, however, said they did not find arrestees’ link to the global terror group. Police are trying to find out their sources of fund, he said.