RAB arrests terror suspect in Dhaka’s Basila

The Rapid Action Battalion has arrested a suspected militant after raiding a house in Basila on the outskirts of Dhaka.

Acting on a tip-off, a RAB team surrounded the ‘militant hideout’ in the early hours of Thursday, said ANM Imran Khan, assistant director of RAB’s legal and media affairs.

The arrestee is a top JMB leader, said RAB spokesman Commander Khandaker Al Moin. He has been initially identified as Emdadul Haque.

A pistol, ammunition, a bulletproof jacket, chemicals, extremist books and approximately Tk 300,000 were recovered from the house.

The man has been taken to the RAB headquarters. “Emdadul Haque was a school teacher. We will reveal his designation in JMB after interrogation,” Moin said.

Two people had rented the Basila house on Sept 2, the house security guard said. At the time, the two claimed to be employees of a printing services company and paid TK 5,000 in advance as rent. They also said that they will provide copies of their NIDs after the arrival of their families in a few days.

Four people were arrested in Mymensingh on Sept 4 and RAB had received information about Emdadul from them, said Moin. The Mymensingh arrestees identified Emdadul as a top JMB leader.

RAB conducted the drive with all the necessary preparations, said Moin. The security guard said that two more people had visited the house and left on Wednesday.