Counter terrorism unit can carry out operation anywhere in the country

The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) will now be able to carry out its operation across the country.

The police headquarters in an official order on August 25 extended the specialised unit’s operation jurisdiction.

The order came in the wake of several successful anti-militancy drives by the specialised unit in which a number of top militants have either been killed or arrested.

The executive order issued by the Inspector General of Police said the CTTC unit can carry out operations at any place across the country under three conditions with prior permission from the IGP. 

The first condition reads the CTTC unit’s activities will be limited to raid and arrest of militants and extremists, recovery and disposal of arms, ammunition and explosives, and hostages’ rescue and related operations.

Prior to operation, the CTTC chief or operation commander will inform metropolitan and district unit chiefs. 

The unit has to follow all rules and laws of the land during their drives, the order said.

Additional Commissioner Monirul Islam, chief of the CTTC unit, said the directives will speed up the activities of the unit.

The 600-men police unit specialising in technology was formed in February under the DMP to enhance police capability in combating militancy and terrorism.

With militant groups recruiting tech-savvy operatives, the police had been pressing for a special unit.

The DMP formed the unit as a police proposal for forming "Police Bureau of Counter-Terrorism" had been put on hold for years.

Members from Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT), bomb disposal unit, and the dog squad would also be included in the unit.