Slain 'militant' Akash's mother, sisters in jail in Sirajganj, father fugitive

Three members of the family of Faridul Islam alias Akash, one of the suspected militants killed in Saturday's raids in Gazipur, are in jail for their purported link to militancy while another is on the run.

Akash, 25, the eldest of Abu Sayeed and Fulera Begum's two sons and three daughters in Sirajganj, passed diploma in computer science in 2014.

After seven suspects died in the raid by police on a 'militant hideout' in Gazipur's Patartek, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said they included top Neo-Jama'atul Mujaheedin leader Akash.

Police counterterrorism unit's ADC Sarwar Hossain told bdnews24.com: "We've initially found out that Akash is from Sirajganj."

Sirajganj Detective Branch OC Waheduzzman said the detectives had kept Akash's family in Kazipur's Barhaitali village under surveillance since the JMB leader had 'gone missing' a year ago.

Following the arrest of Aksh's mother Fulera, sisters Shakila Khatun and Salma Khatun, and neighbour Razila Begum with 'huge' amounts of jihadi books and a computer on Sep 5, police said they were female members of the JMB's suicide squad.

Akash's father Sayeed went into hiding with his minor brother and sister, the OC said. "No-one lives in Akash's house now," he added.

DB Sub-Inspector Raushon Ali said, "We've come to know that Akash's mother, two sisters and neighbours got themselves involved in militancy on his instigation."

Ismail Hossain, a former member of the local union council, said Akash went missing two years ago and his father Sayeed has not been coming home for past three months.

"The members of the family did not have much association with the people in the area. They used to celebrate Eid a day before the others in Bangladesh in keeping with Saudi Arabia," he said.

Ismail alleged there were 'many accomplices' of Akash in the village.

"At least 100 to 12 members of three families close to Akash's family have gone into hiding after the arrest of his mother and two sisters," he said.

Ismail also said the locals were 'happy' at the news of Akash's death.

Akash did diploma in computer science from Sirajganj Polytechnic Institute two years ago.

The institute's Principal Abdul Hannan said sleuths came for information on Akash several times after he left in 2014.

Sirajganj Superintendent of Police Miraj Uddin Ahmed said several members of JMB were arrested in from Sirajganj's Ullaparha in October last year.

Akash was named along with them in the chargesheet of the case, the SP said.

[Additional input by Staff Correspondent Golam Mujtaba Dhruba]