Dhaka – Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) recovered seven charred bodies including two women and two children from the militant hideout in the capital on Wednesday.“We have found charred remains of seven people including militant Abdullah, his two wives, two children and two associates at the militant hideout. Their bodies were burned to ashes, RAB Director General Benazir Ahmed told the journalists at a press briefing at the spot.
He said militant Abdullah was a member of Al-Ansar of JMB’ Sarwar-Tamim Group. He further said there were huge explosives in the building and the fourth and the fifth floor of the building has been damaged due to the explosion. Besides, there was a people farm in the building and many pigeons were killed due to the explosion, he added.
RAB sources said they cordoned off the building ‘Kamal Prova’ at the Mazar Road in Mirpur at around 11 pm on Monday in suspicion of a militant hideout at the fifth floor of the building. Later the utility services like gas, electricity and water supply were disconnected.
In addition, RAB evacuated at least 65 people of the building on the same night. Later RAB suspected that militant Abdullah along with other militants were hiding at the building and requested them to surrender on Tuesday.
RAB also said the militants told them that they would surrender but instead of surrendering to the RAB, the militants blasted them off by three massive explosions inside the building at around 10 pm on Tuesday, leading fire and smokes out of the building. Even four RAB personnel were injured with splinters due to the explosion.
On Wednesday, RAB along with Bomb Explosive Team and fire service members started searching the building in the morning after overnight massive explosions and exchange of gunfire and found the charred bodies.
Benazir Ahmed said they have recovered several bones from the spot and the identities of the deceased can be confirmed after DNA test.
The law enforcers could not stay on the spot for a long time as the temperature of the building was around 55-60 degree Celsius, he said.
“We tried to rescue the innocent women and children alive but failed as Abdullah himself detonated the explosives killing his family members and accomplices,” he added.
Abdullah joined Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in 2005 and later joined Neo JMB’s Sarwar-Tamim group in 2012. He provided shelter and financial help to the top leaders of Neo JMB, he added.
Many New JMB members, including Tamim Chowdhury and Sarwar Jahan, often visited this house, he added.
Assistant superintendent of police of RAB-4 Abdul Awal said suspected militant Abdullah, son of Yusuf Ali, hailed from Chuadanga. Abdullah was living in the hideout with his two wives, Fatima and Nasrin, two children – Osama and Omar and two associates.
He also said RAB has detained Abdullah’s sister Meherunnesa from their village home.
Though the operation was over, RAB members are still on the vigilant in the whole area where the residents were passing a tense situation.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque visited the spot in the morning.
Earlier on Tuesday, RAB arrested two suspected militants while conducting a drive in Tangail district and got information about Abdullah from the arrestees. – Staff Reporter
