Surrendered extremists returning to armed activities, warns RAB

The elite force recovers 12 firearms and 897 bullets as former radicals re-emerge in Pabna

Extremists who had previously surrendered and entered rehabilitation programmes are returning to armed activity following the political transition in August 2024, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has warned.

The alert came during a press briefing at the RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar on Tuesday, following the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of a significant cache of weapons.

RAB spokesperson MZM Intekhab Chowdhury said a raid in Sirajganj’s Salanga led to the arrest of 55-year-old Rakib Rana.

Acting on his information, a second suspect, Alamgir, also known as “Shooter Alamgir”, was detained in Dhaka’s Adabor.

The elite force recovered 12 firearms, including four rifles, five single-barrel guns, two shotguns, one pistol, and 897 rounds of ammunition.

Two private cars used for transporting the arms were also seized, said Intekhab.

RAB-12 Captain Atikur Rahman Mia said the weapons were collected in Chattogram and stored in Dhaka before being smuggled to extremists in Pabna.

"Following the fall of the government during the 2024 movement, extremists in those areas have begun to re-emerge in their old forms," Atikur said.

"Those who were previously rehabilitated are returning to their former ways to establish dominance in the char (river island) areas," he added.

Rakib faces three cases for murder and fraud, while Alamgir is accused in five cases, including murder.

“RAB is maintaining a strict stance against them,” Atikur said.