‘JMB trying to contact Islamic State’

Detectives in Bangladesh allege that the banned militant outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) is trying to establish a connection with the Islamic State (IS).

“And as far as we know, they already attained some success,” Monirul Islam, joint commissioner (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told reporters at a press conference in Dhaka today.

The presser was arranged to make public the details of seven JMB militants’ arrest, including its acting ameer, from Turag area yesterday.

The detainees disclose that a group of the militant outfit had been planning to participate in the unrest in Iraq and Syria to draw the attention of the IS to get support from them.

They were also planning to carry out attacks at different areas and important establishments in the country as well as on several distinguished personalities, Monirul Islam added.

THE ARREST
Detectives received intelligence that the JMB men were plotting to carry out subversive activities in Turag area on the outskirts of the capital.

They launched a crackdown in the area and arrested the seven militants, including the acting ameer, along with explosives from Landing Station Port area yesterday around 1:00pm.

They were identified as Abdullah Al Tasnim alias Nahid, 29, acting ameer of JMB, his associates Naeem Ali, 29, Sikandar Ali Noki, 25, Mahmud Ibne Pasha, 23, Masum Billah, 23, Fuad Hasan, 18 and Ali Ahmed, 28.

The detectives seized 10 kilogrammes of liquid (gel) explosives, four bronze-made artefacts, some books and leaflets from their possession.

Tasnim was an accused in at least 20 cases filed with several police stations charged with criminal offenses including murder and explosions.

The seven arrestees were sued today in two cases, filed with the Turag Police Station, under the Anti-Terrorism Act and Explosive Substances Act, the police official said.

The arrestees were placed on a two-day remand for further interrogation in connection with the case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act after they were produced before a court of Metropolitan Magistrate Rashed Talukdar, seeking a 10-day remand.

THEIR PLAN
The newly-made ameer, Tasnim, was trying to recruit members from several private universities in Dhaka and rejuvenate the organisational activities of JMB, the detective said.

“During primary interrogation, they (militants) told us that they were planning to attack several areas and establishments within the country,” he said.

“They were also hatching plots to launch attacks on the motorcades of several very important persons (VIPs) of the country to garner support from the IS,” he added without mentioning names.

“Noki and Pasha are highly skilled in technology. They were trying to communicate with the Islamic State militants. And as far as we know, they had some success.”

“Some of their men managed new passports and were planning to travel to Iraq and Syria to take part in the ongoing unrest there. So that they can draw attention of the IS to garner support in their favour.”

“They were trying to set up training camps in Bandarban to expand their organisational network and boost their activities.”

Fugitive JMB leaders in the likes of Sohel Mahfuz, alias Kata Sohel, who is now hiding in India, and several other top leaders are aiding Tasnim, he added.

“JMB’s former amir, now in jail, and Saidur Rahman’s daughter and son-in-law living in Pakistan are also helping Tasnim.”