Bombs galore inside Sitakunda flat, 'Neo-JMB bomb experts’ among dead militants

Several types of explosives have been found inside a militant hideout in Sitakunda where four suspects were killed during a 19-hour police raid.

Two of the suspects were 'bomb experts' for the revived Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (Neo-JMB), said Sanwar Hossain, additional deputy commissioner of police.

The counter-terror unit official was briefing reporters in front of 'Chhayaneer', the two-storey building at Premtala, on Thursday afternoon. 

Police had information that there were 'bomb experts' inside a flat inside the building before it was raided, he said.

"That's why the SWAT team delayed entering the house. Three to four types of strong bombs were found inside," he said.

According to Sanwar, the bombs and explosives include two ‘large bombs’.

One was found near the building’s main entrance and another was left on a mattress inside a room in the ground-storey flat, he said.

Another, a pipe bomb, was put near the entrance to a room. Gel explosives, a total 12 sets, and a smaller bomb were also found inside.

The bomb disposal unit also found a bag full of pieces of pipes, switches, blasting caps besides a carton of liquid explosives.

They deactivated two 'suicide vets' packed with explosives and four bombs, said Sanwar.

Sitakunda police raided the Chhayaneer house on Wednesday afternoon based on information divulged by a ‘militant couple’ arrested from a flat at Sitakunda’s Namar Bazar. 

Police and SWAT members surrounded the house after a grenade hurled from inside the building injured an officer. They were later joined by personnel from the counter-terror unit and the bomb disposal unit.

Around 6:30am Thursday, the law enforcers launched the drive during which two militant suspects blew themselves up and two others were shot dead, police said. Explosions and gunshots rocked the area for seven to 10 minutes during the raid.

Twenty people who were trapped inside were then evacuated from the house.

Multiple police agencies worked to collect evidence and deactivate the bombs inside the flat.

Sanwar said the suspects detonated a bomb packed with three to four kilograms of explosives on the roof, near the staircase, when the SWAT team was about to storm in.

"The explosion caused the staircase to collapse. The militants’ body parts were found scattered inside," he said.

"We have never seen a suicide blast this big in our country," said the counter-terror officer.

The raw ingredients found was enough to make 40 to 50 bombs with the explosives, he said.

Officials believe there may be more explosives inside another room of the flat.