Nine members, including a training commander, of militant group Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya have been arrested in a drive conducted by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) at Tongkaboti in sadar upazila of Bandarban. Commander Khandaker Al Moin, director of Rab’s legal and media wing, revealed the information while briefing the media on Monday (March 13, 2023). Members of RAB 1, 11, and 15 conducted a joined drive and arrested them along with arms and explosives, he said. Also Read: 3 more members of new militant group Jamatul Ansar held in N'ganj The arrestees are training commander Didar Hossain alias Masum, Alamin Sardar, Sainun Raihan, Tahiyat Chowdhury alias Pavel, Md. Lokman Mia, Md. Imran Hossain, Md. Amir Hossain, Md. Ariful Rahman, and Shamim Mia. With the new arrests, 68 members of the new militant outfit have been arrested so far, Al Moin said. “Thirty-eight people were arrested from the Chattogram Hill Tracts, and two of them died,” he said. Read More: Clash over Ahmadiyya event: Over 8,200 sued, 81 arrested in Panchagarh Seventeen members of armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) have been arrested so far, he added. The elite force also seized arms and explosives from the arrestees. These arrests are not related to the attack on members of the army last Sunday, the RAB official said. Read More: Three arrested with 400 bottles of phensedyl in Chapainawabganj: RAB

Troops raided a militant hideout in a former Pakistani Taliban stronghold near the border with Afghanistan on Friday, triggering a shootout that killed two insurgents, the military said. Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif summoned the country's opposition leader to forge a response to the recent surge in violence, including a mosque bombing that killed 101 people. Troops on Friday recovered a cache of weapons in a militant hideout in North Waziristan, a district of the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said in a statement. The militants killed during the raid had been involved in past attacks on security forces, it added. The statement provided no further details, and the identity of the slain militants was not immediately known. Troops routinely carry out such raids to trace and arrest the Pakistani Taliban, who are also known as the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. The Pakistani Taliban are a separate group but are allies of the Afghan Taliban, who seized power in Afghanistan a year ago as U.S. and NATO troops were in the final stages of their pullout. The Taliban takeover in Afghanistan has emboldened the Pakistani Taliban, who have stepped up attacks since November when they ended the ceasefire with the government. The latest development comes days after a suicide bomber attacked a mosque on the compound of police in the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing 101 people. Authorities say the bomber wore a police uniform and the guards at the site assumed he was a police officer — their colleague — and did not search him. Read more: -Peshawar, the city of flowers, becomes epicenter of violence On Friday, Sharif said in a televised address that he had invited his predecessor and now opposition leader, Imran Khan, and other officials to a conference Tuesday to discuss next steps. There was no immediate response from Khan, who was ousted in a no-conference vote in Parliament in April last year. Sharif said Monday's attack inside the mosque was carried out by a suicide bomber, and there was no truth in allegations and claims that it was a drone attack. Pakistan blames the Pakistani Taliban, who maintain sanctuaries in Afghanistan, for orchestrating the bombing that wounded 225 wounded. Police say most of the casualties were not caused by the detonation of the bomber’s explosives but by the collapse of the roof of the 50-year-old Peshawar mosque. The force of the blast caused the roof, which was supported by outside walls but no pillars, to cave in.

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) today (January 23, 2023) arrested two suspected members of new militant group 'Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya' after a gunfight at Kutupalong Rohingya camp in Ukhia upazila of Cox's Bazar. The arrestees were identified as Ronobir, a Shura member and head of the armed wing of the militant group, and his associate Bashar, a bomb-making expert. Read more: 12 militants, 14 KNF members arrested so far in anti-militancy drive in Bandarban: RAB A team of Rab-15 conducted a drive in Kutupalong Rohingya camp this morning, said ASP Abu Salam Chowdhury from Cox's Bazar Rab-15. Sensing the presence of law enforcers, the militants opened fire on them, forcing the Rab personnel to fire back, he added. Rab arrested the duo along with arms and explosives from a den in the camp following the gunfight. Details will be revealed at a press briefing at Ukhiya Rohingya camp area, the officer said. Read more: 3 ‘members of new militant outfit’ held with arms, explosives in Bandarban

Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has arrested six suspected militants who were inspired by international militant group Al Qaeda. The detainees were Abdur Rob, 28, Md Sakib, 23, Md Shamim Hossain, 18, Md Nadim Sheikh, 19, Md Absar, 20, and Md Saeed Uddin, 18. A team of city intelligence analysis division of CTTC conducted drives in the capital’s Sayedabad Bus Terminal, Chattogam and Teknaf Teknaf and detained them on Sunday, said a press release of CTTC on Monday. Read more: Jamaat chief knew his son was member of militant group: CTTC chief During primary interrogation, the detainees said that they used to form gangs by communicating on social media and online based apps. They were staying in Teknaf for launching jihad in the country after receiving training with local associates. Detainee Abdur Rob left for Saudi-Arabia last June in 2019 after studying at a Qawmi madrasa here. While staying in Saudi Arabia, he was inspired to join jihad seeing various jihadi posts and videos online, said the release. Rob used to work as a  moderator and bring everyone together online to discuss sharia-based state formation, Jihad, etc. Later, they got acquainted with a Bangladeshi who lives in abroad and established contact via audio-video calls, it said. That member introduced everyone to another Bangladeshi in Libya and a local man from Teknaf. In the joint discussion, it was decided that Abdur Rob, Shamim, SaKib, Nadim, Saeed and others who are willing to migrate will first go to Teknaf and receive training through their local associates for waging jihad for the establishment of Islamic rule in Bangladesh, it added. Read more: Top Ansar al-Islam leaders behind militants’ escape from Dhaka court: CTTC chief On November 22 last year, Abdur Rob arrived in the country and rented a house for planning and counseling. A case has been filed at Jatrabari police station against the detainees under the Anti-Terrorism Act, said the release.

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) Director General (DG) M Khurshid Hossain Friday said the escape of two convicted militants from a Dhaka court on November 20 and the fact that they are yet to be arrested is a "failure." "We believe in self-criticism. Two militants escaped; we are not going to deny it. It was our failure as two militants escaped (from the court premises) like that," the Rab DG told the media after visiting the Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital ahead of the 22nd national council of the Awami League there Saturday. Read more: Law enforcers can’t avoid responsibility over militants’ escape: Rab "The militants had been planning the escape for a long time, and we are yet to track them down. However, efforts are underway to arrest them," he added. Abu Siddiq Sohel and Moinul Hasan Shamim, members of the banned militant outfit Ansar-al Islam, were sentenced to death for killing publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan. Read more: Location of escaped militants to be traced soon: Home Minister On November 20, the militants' associates whisked them away from the premises of Dhaka Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court by beating the law enforcers and spraying some chemicals on their eyes. Later, a case was filed at Kotwali Police Station over the incident.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal hoped that the location of the  escaped militants will be traced very soon. The minister said this in response to the journalists' questions after inaugurating the 2nd Sheikh Kamal SAARC Snooker Championship in the capital on Saturday. " Law enforcement agencies are working and hopefully we will get the probe report soon, he added. When questioned about Major (retd) Syed Ziaul Haque, the chief coordinator of Ansar Al Islam, the home minister said militant Zia is frequently changing his location and  that is why its taking a bit more time to arrest him. But he will be arrested soon, the minister said. Earlier, Home Ministry and Dhaka Metropolitan Police formed two separate committees to investigate the incident. On Sunday, unidentified persons attacked police personnel and whisked away two operatives of banned militant outfit Ansar Al Islam -- Moinul Hasan Shamim alias Samir alias Imran, and Abu Siddique Sohel -- from the court premises, who were sentenced to death in Jagriti Publications publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan murder case. Publisher Dipan, son of Prof Abul Kashem Fazlul Huq of Dhaka University, was hacked to death in his office on the second floor of Aziz Supermarket at Shahbagh in the city on October 31, 2015. Five police personnel were suspended following the incident. Meanwhile, Bangladesh police announced Tk 10 lakh for information for each. The government has issued red alert at all the entry and exit points of the country to arrest them.

Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Wednesday arrested one of the alleged militants who was involved in snatching two convicted militants from police custody on the Dhaka court premises, officials said. The arrestee was identified as Mehdi Hasan Omi alias Rafi (24). Rafi is the accused in the case, which was filed with Kotwali police station in connection with the incident. Read more: Mastermind behind militant escape from custody identified: CTTC Chief Two death row convicts in publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan murder case -- Md Abu Siddique Sohel alias Sakib alias Sajid alias Shahab and Moinul Hasan Shamim alias Samir alias Sifat alias Imran-- and also members of the banned militant group Ansar al-Islam, were brought to a Dhaka court on Monday. After producing them before a magistrate, police were taking them back to the lock-up when some of their accomplices emerged out of nowhere, used pepper spray on the police and snatched the militants away. Based on secret information, a team of the CTTC unit arrested Mehdi Hasan Omi alias Rafi. He is a member of the military wing of Ansar al-Islam. Read more: 2 militants who escaped from Dhaka court will be arrested any time soon: DB Chief Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Media and Public Relations Department under the DMP Farooq Hossain said that the arrested militant Mehdi Hasan had directly participated in the incident of militant snatching. However, he did not disclose from where and when he was arrested. Police filed a case against 20 people, including the two death row convicts in the Dipan murder case with Kotwali police station after Sunday’s incident.

Bangladesh Police has formed a five-member probe body in connection with the escaping of two death row convicts and members of banned militant group Ansar al-Islam from the premises of Dhaka court on Sunday. The committee, headed by Additional Police Commissioner (crime and operation) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), has been asked to submit its report within three working days, said a DMP press release. Earlier in the day, they were sentenced to death in Jagriti Publications publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan murder case. Also read: Militants flee Dhaka Court: Red Alert issued, says Home Minister They are Md Abu Siddique Sohel alias Sakib alias Sajid alias Shahab and Moinul Hasan Shamim alias Samir alias Sifat alias Imran, said Harun or-Rashid, Chief of Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). “The convicts sprayed something in the eyes of two policemen and escaped while they were being taken to the court. We’re searching for them in nearby areas. This is the first time something like this has happened in the country,” said Harun. Publisher Dipan, son of Prof Abul Kashem Fazlul Huq of Dhaka University, was hacked to death in his office on the second floor of Aziz Supermarket at Shahbagh in Dhaka on October 31, 2015. Meanwhile, Bangladesh police announced Tk 10 lakh for information for each. The government has issued red alert at all the entry and exit points of the country to arrest them, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan.  

Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has said that the government has issued red alert at all the entry and exit points of the country to nab the two Ansar al-Islam members who escaped from the premises of a lower court in Dhaka on Sunday (November 20, 2022) noon. The minister said this while talking to journalists at his Secretariat office. “Police are looking for them everywhere. I hope we’ll be able to apprehend them soon. We’ve told law enforcement agencies to beef up their surveillance at the border areas so that they (the convicts) can’t leave the country,” Asaduzzaman said. Read: Dipan murder case verdict today Asked how the militants escaped, the home minister said that pepper spray was used on policemen before the duo fled. “The two Ansar al-Islam members were brought to the court earlier today and were kept in the lock-up. After producing them before a magistrate, police were taking them back to the lock-up when some of their accomplices emerged out of nowhere, used pepper spray on the police and whisked the militants away,” Asaduzzaman said. The home minister added that exemplary punishment will be given to those found responsible for negligence in duties. Read More: Police announce Tk 10 lakh for each death row convict who fled a Dhaka court today “Militants escaping from the hands of the police is an unfortunate incident. We’ll form a probe body and take necessary steps so that such occurrences don’t happen again,” added Asaduzzaman. Publisher Dipan, son of Prof Abul Kashem Fazlul Huq of Dhaka University, was hacked to death in his office on the second floor of Aziz Supermarket at Shahbagh in Dhaka on October 31, 2015. On February 10, 2021, Dhaka Anti-Terrorism Tribunal sentenced eight militants to death in the Dipan murder case. Read: Two militants convicted to death in Dipan murder case flee Dhaka court lock-up

Armed militants ambushed and killed all six people in a police vehicle in northwestern Pakistan, officials said Wednesday. Police officer Rab Nawaz Khan said the morning attack in the Dadewala area of Lakki Marwat district came during a routine patrol in a suburban area. The attackers escaped on motorcycles. Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. Islamic militants had been involved in previous attacks on security forces. Mohammad Khurasani, who said he is a spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban, formally known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, said in a statement that the patrol was ambushed on the way to a raid and the attackers acquired five police weapons from the confrontation. Khan said reinforcement has reached the scene, moved the bodies to a hospital and started an investigation to find the perpetrators. Northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan borders Afghanistan and has seen Islamic militants largely known as Pakistani Taliban operate in the area for many years. Read more: Bus rams into fuel truck in eastern Pakistan, killing 20 The Pakistani Taliban are a separate group, but they are allies of the Afghan Taliban, who seized power in Afghanistan more than a year ago as U.S. and NATO troops were in the final stages of their pullout. The Taliban takeover in Afghanistan has emboldened the Pakistani Taliban. Although the Taliban in Afghanistan have encouraged Islamabad and the TTP to reach a peace agreement through dialogue, talks amid a ceasefire between the two sides that started in May proved futile.