RAB detains 10 militants, separatists in Bandarban, Rangamati

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested 10 people, including militants and separatists, during raids in various areas of Bandarban and Rangamati districts.

Seven of the arrestees are the members of a newly formed militant outfit "Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya" and rest of three are the members of a separatist organisation of the hill tracts, according to a press release from RAB-7's media wing.

A huge amount of arms and ammunition were seized from their possession, it added.  

The detainees are Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya members Syed Maruf Ahmed Manik, Imran Hossain Sawon, Jahangir Ahmed Janu, Md Ibrahim Ali, Abu Bakar Siddique Bappi, Rufu Mia and Kawsar Shishir.

Besides, Jouthan Sang Bom, Stephen Bom and Mal Sam Bom are the members of separatist organisation of hill tracts.

RAB-7 Commander Lt Col MA Yusuf told The Business Standard, "Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya" has a seven-stage organogram.

Md Anisur Rahman alias Mahmud is the ameer of the organisation, Abdullah Maimun is the chief of Publicity (Dawati) Wing, Maskur Rahman, chief of Military Wing and Maruf Ahmed, assistant chief of Military wing.

Besides, Mosharraf Hossain is serving as chief of Finance, Media and plain land wing and Shamim Mahfuz, chief advisor and training supervisor (general) while aa Shaykh of Bhola district is the head of the Aalim (scholar) wing.

He said, "During the integration of 12 militants who were previously arrested, RAB came to know that 55 terrorists of a new militant organisation are being trained at the remote hills of Chattogram Hill Tracts.

Among the 12 arrestees, people who came out of homes in the name of Hijrat and people who lured them to join the new militant outfit and trained them.

 "A list of 38 of them has already been published. We have received the list of 17 more terrorists," said MA Yusuf.

Later, law enforcement agencies started a "coordinated" operation in the hill tracts to arrest them.