Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, a specilized police unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), arrested five suspected members of newly formed militant outfit Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya from Demra of the capital on Wednesday.
The arrestees were identified as Md Abdullah, 22, Md Tajul Islam, 33, Md Ziauddin, 37, Md Habibullah, 19 and Md Mahmudul Hasan, 18.
Separatist armed group in the Chattogram Hill Tracts Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) has been providing training to the members of the new militant outfit in remote areas, Chief of the CTTC and Additional Commissioner of the DMP Asaduzzaman said while briefing reporters at the DMP Media Centre in the city on Thursday.
Three mobile phone sets and a 12-page document were also seized during the drive, he added.
The CTTC chief said that the CTTC started a shadow investigation when there was a nationwide stir regarding the disappearance of seven youths from Comilla district recently. On the basis of intelligence information, Abrarul Haque, who left his Comilla residence for the purpose of Hijrat, was arrested from the capital's Moghbazar area on September 13 last.
Based on information given by Abrarul Haque, Dr Shakir bin Wali was arrested from Hajipara area of Rampura in the capital, the CTTC chief said.
During interrogation, Dr Shakir bin Wali revealed that he is the head of the dawa department of the militant organization. He used to give treatment to the militants if they fell sick during military training in the hills.
Doctor Shakir bin Wali stayed in the hill camp for over a month.
Along with Shamin Mahfuz, Tamal, Ranveer, Raqib and Dr Shakir bin Wali used to travel to the training camp and supervise the whole thing.
The CTTC chief said that the main purpose of this organization is to form a huge militant group through collecting members for militancy, collection of money, providing armed military training and purchasing modern weapons. They have collected 70-80 youths as members of their organisation since 2021, he added.