The Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) has arrested four active members of a banned extremist organization in separate raids in the Kamrangirchar and Keraniganj areas of the capital. Firearms, ammunition, and a drone were recovered during the raids.
A DB source confirmed the information on Wednesday.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Md Imran Chowdhury (29), Md Mostakim Chowdhury (25), Ripon Hossain Sheikh (28), and Abu Bakkar (25).
According to DB sources, they are active members of the banned group “Aqsa” and were allegedly involved in planning sabotage and attacks at different locations.
According to the sources, Imran Chowdhury was first arrested early Thursday from a house near a mosque in the Koilaghat area of Kamrangirchar. Later in the morning, Mostakim Chowdhury was arrested from the Zianagar area of Keraniganj. In the afternoon, Ripon Hossain Sheikh and Abu Bakkar were arrested during another raid near Rasulpur Bridge in Kamrangirchar.
During the raids, police recovered a foreign-made pistol, a one-shooter gun, 14 rounds of ammunition, three spent bullet shells, multiple smartphones, a metal detector, and a drone. Books and leaflets were also seized.
DB officials believe the recovered drone was intended for surveillance or use in sabotage activities. Legal action has been initiated against the four suspects.
After a long period of inactivity, reports of renewed extremist activities in the capital have raised concerns among residents. However, law enforcement officials believe that this successful operation has helped prevent a major attack.
FP/MI