Police deny RAB claim that Sarwar Jahan was Neo-JMB chief

Police say Sarwar Jahan, who died during a drive in Ashulia and who RAB claimed to be the chief of Neo-JMB, was just a third-grade leader of the militant group.

After a man died after falling from the fourth floor during the Ashulia drive on Oct 8, RAB identified him as Abdur Rahman Aynal, a key financier of Neo-JMB, the group blamed for Gulshan cafe massacre.

Thirteen days after the drive, RAB Director General Benazir Ahmed told a news conference that the person was actually Sarwar Jahan, the chief of Neo-JMB.

On Wednesday, police’s counterterrorism unit chief Monirul Islam said Sarwar was not the chief of the group.

"His name has come to us as a leader with the rank just below Tamim's (Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury's) deputies," he said.

Asked about the RAB claim, he said, "We don't have any information or evidence that Sarwar Jahan was the chief. We'll consider the information if any surfaces in DNA test."

Tamim was gunned down during a drive in Narayanganj on Aug 27.

The RAB chief claimed Tamim and Sarwar exchanged 'secured' text messages from 2:30am to 3:30am after security forces surrounded the house during the drive on that day.

The texts were shown at the news conference.

Monirul, however, said Tamim was surrounded around 6am. "The first counterterrorism unit team reached the site at 6:15am or 6:20am. Nothing like cordoning him happened before that."

"But some other agency or unit might have surrounded him," he added.

The police officer also claimed Tamim did not get much opportunity to communicate with others during the drive. "He could contact only Tanvir Qaderi and Major Jahid. We have evidence."

Major Jahidul Islam died during a police drive in Mirpur while Qaderi in another drive in Azimpur.

Monirul said Neo-JMB is now being led by 'one or two of its second-category' leaders.

Asked whether they include sacked army major Ziaul Haque, he said, "Major Zia has no connection with this group. He is involved with Ansar Al Islam."

Police have petitioned to the home ministry to ban Ansar Al Islam. Monirul said the law enforcers were also thinking about filing another similar petition for Neo-JMB.

"We have information that some old JMB members have joined Neo-JMB, but there is rivalry among them. So they did not get any vital post," Monirul said.

RAB chief Benazir had said following the death of Sarwar, the Neo-JMB had 21 members.

Monirul said police have no such list.

The RAB chief had also claimed Neo-JMB was involved in last year's murder of Italian citizen Cesare Tavella. He said Sarwar had ordered the attack in Gulshan.

The counterterrorism unit has named BNP leader MA Kayum, his brother and five others in the chargesheet of the Tavella murder case. The court is now trying them. No militant suspect was named.

Asked about the RAB claim over the case, Monirul said he did not hear what Benazir said in the news conference as he was abroad.

Monirul, who had worked under Benazir in Dhaka Metropolitan Police, also said he thinks the RAB chief did not say anything on a matter under trial.

He added that Kayum could not be arrested as he had fled abroad.