11 killed in ‘anti-extremist’ drives in Gazipur, Tangail

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At least 11 extremists were killed in separate operations of police and Rapid Action Battalion in Gazipur and Tangail on Saturday.

Home minister Asaduzzaman Khan told newsmen that eleven extremists were killed in separate drives at Harinal and Patartek of Gazipur and Kagmara of Tangail.

The minister met newsmen at Patartek where law enforcers completed an operation that left seven extremists killed. The minister said identities of the dead people would be provided later.

The minister said the law enforcers carried out the attacks after they ignored call to surrender.

Acting inspector general of police Javed Patwari, additional inspector general Mokhelsur Rahman and counter terrorism and transnational crime unit of DMP’s chief Monirul Alam were present with the home minister.

Gazipur raid Zheelon
Holes made by bullets are seen on windowpane of the house of extremists at  Patartek of Gazipur after trade of gunshots between law enforcers and extremists.— New Age photo.

The police carried out raid in a den of extremists at Noagaon Patartek of Gazipur since morning, police said. The seven extremists rented a the ground floor of a at two-storey house three months ago.

Earlier RAB’s media wing director commander Mufti Mahmud Khan told media that four extremist were killed in separate gunfights with RAB in Harinal of Gazipur and Kagmara of Tangail.

Firearms and ammunition were recovered from both of the spots, he also said, adding that none was however arrested during the anti-militancy drives.

The RAB official said identities of the dead could not be known immediately.

RAB and police cordoned off the house of one Ataur Rahman in Harinal area early in the morning and came under fire from the extremists. A fierce gunfight erupted as the law enforcers retaliated the attack resulting in deaths of two extremists.

One AK-22 rifle, one pistol, 70 bullets and some bomb-making explosive substances and a laptop were recovered from the den.

In Tangail, two suspected extremists were killed in RAB’s operation at a three-storey house Kagmara Mirzamath area.

Identities of the deceased could not be known immediately,

Commander or RAB-12 Additional DIG Shahabuddin Khan said on information that subversive activities might be carried out in the locality during Durga Puja and Ashura, a RAB team conducted the raid at a three-storey building of Azhar Ali Master near Mirza Maath.

RAB men along with the house owner, Azharul Islam Khan, went to the ground floor house around 10:30am that the alleged militants rented on September 27, he said.

Sensing presence of the law enforcers, the extremists opened fire on RAB personnel prompting them to retaliate triggering a ‘gunfight’.

One pistol, one revolver, 10 sharp lethal machetes, five round bullets, two laptop, cash amount of Tk 64,912 and some books inspiring jihad have been recovered the house.

A solider Rejaul and a corporal Sayful of RAB sustained injuries during the drive, he said.

House owner Azharul Islam is detained for quizzing.

Source: new age