CMP gets full-fledged counter terrorism unit

With an aim to expedite the fight against militancy and terror-related activities, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has established a fully-fledged Counter Terrorism (CT) unit, which is set to be inaugurated today.

A year after its proposal was sent to Police Headquarters, the CT unit at CMP finally started its journey on October 23. The unit is headed by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Shahidullah, following the order of CMP Commissioner Mahabubor Rahman.

The unit's new office at Dampara Police Lines will be inaugurated by CMP commissioner today evening, said police.

Formation of a comprehensive CT unit under the jurisdiction of CMP was a longstanding demand from security experts, as law enforcers had busted several hideouts of banned outfits including Harkat-ul-Jihad Bangladesh (Huji), Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) in the region before.

Palash Kanti Nath, additional deputy commissioner (ADC, operation) at the CT unit, said, “Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Crisis Response Team (CRT) and Bomb Disposal sections of CMP have already been merged with CT after formation of the unit.”

There are two other separate teams named CT (intelligence) and CT (operation). Each of the four teams is being led by an ADC.

Talking to The Daily Star, CMP CT unit's DC Mohammad Shahidullah said, “Some administrative work of the newly formed unit is underway while logistics and other necessary support have already been given to us.”

According to CMP sources, SWAT currently has 16 officials while CRT has 24 personnel. Apart from that, Bomb Disposal Unit has eight personnel, and 20 under operation and intelligence sections.

Despite having a manpower crisis and limited logistic support, CMP has successfully carried out anti-militancy drives in the past.

On October 5, 2015, Detective Branch (DB) of CMP busted a JMB hideout in the city's Khoajnagor area and arrested five militants including Towfiqul Islam Javed, military wing commander of the organisation's Chittagong region, along with nine handmade grenades and other ammunition.

On December 27, 2015, a JMB den was busted in Amanbazar area under Hathazari upazila by DB police. They arrested three suspected JMB operatives and recovered one MK-11 sniper rifle, bullets, and a huge amount of bomb-making materials.

On March 16, 2017, police busted two JMB dens in Sitakunda upazila, where a militant couple was captured alive. Four persons including a woman and a child were killed in a suicide blast during the operation.

On October 05, 2018, two operatives of JMB were killed in a blast during an anti-militant drive launched by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-7) at Uttar Sonapahar area of Mirsarai upazila under the district.