Security forces raiding two militant hideouts in Moulvibazar

Security forces in Moulvibazar have thrown a cordon around two houses possibly used as militant hideouts within hours of the end of 'Operation Twilight' in neighbouring district of Sylhet.

Moulvibazar Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 29 March 2017, 05:28 AM
Updated : 29 March 2017, 10:31 AM

Gunfire and explosions have been reported from one of the houses surrounded by the security forces.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) said the two houses have been cordoned off since early on Wednesday.

One of the houses is located at Barhahaat neighbourhood of the district town, the other 18 km away in Sadar Upazila's Fatehpur village, said Srimangal-based RAB camp's chief ASP Mainuddin.

"RAB personnel have reached the spot. A counter-terrorism unit team from Dhaka is also there," he told bdnews24.com.

Counter-terrorism officer Mahibul Islam, who is on the spot, said they received inputs of the Moulvibazar houses after busting the terror dens in Chittagong's Sitakunda and Sylhet.

"The intelligence input on the house in Barhahaat was confirmed last night. Inputs for the house at Sarkarbazar (at Fatehpur Village) were received early in morning," he said.

Deputy Commissioner Islam said that bullets were fired and grenades were hurled at police from the house in Fatehpur Village. "The police also opened fire."

He said they have sealed off the two houses and were trying to establish contact with the suspected militants inside. "They are yet to say anything. But we will keep on trying in line with our operational strategy."

As the raids started early in the morning, power and gas supplies in the areas have been disconnected.

Police said the houses are owned by expatriates Saifur Sabbir and Atabbar Mia, who live in London.

Four suspected militants, including a woman, have been killed in the assault while two explosions on the street outside the building left six persons, including two police officers, dead.

Within 12 hours of the army declaring that the operation ended on Tuesday afternoon, the Moulvibazar raids started early on Wednesday.