JMB leader killed in police ‘shootout’ a day after arrest in Rajshahi

A leader of outlawed Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) has been killed in a 'gunfight' with police, a day after his arrest in Rajshahi.

Bogra police arrested Amijul Islam alias Alamin alias Rony at Rajshahi's Godagari Upazila on Tuesday after following him for a month.

The next day, he died in what police called was a gunfight at Jamnagar of Bogra's Sherpur Upazila.

Godagari Police Station OC Hipzur Alam Munshi said Amijul's family had fled soon after his arrest on Tuesday night.

Police found his house locked from the outside when they went there the next morning to interrogate his family members.

Amijul stabbed two policemen with a knife during the arrest.

The injured constables - Abdus Salam and Ismail Hossain - are getting treated at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Constable Salam said Amijul returned to his Godagori residence on Tuesday evening after holding an hour-long meeting with a top JMB leader in Rajshahi town.

"We followed him and reached his Godagori home where he first attacked Ismail and then me," he said.

Godagari ward 5 Councillor Mamun Ur Rashid said Amijul was brought up at his maternal grandfather's place in Chapanawabganj.

"He stayed with his mother in the last few years at Rajarampur for studies. He was criticised in the area for opposing the prayers at a lesser known Amijul mosque there," Mamun said.

He had triggered suspicion of locals for his aggressive behaviour, he said.

Amijul’s father Ataur Rahman was once an addict and used to gamble. But he also changed over time and turned to more liberal ways and started praying five times every day, according to the councillor.

He said strangers frequented their home where Islamic meetings would also take place.