Bangladesh and India have agreed on instant communication and sharing of information to get the better of militants and terrorists active in the two neighbouring countries.
Both sides believe quick exchange of information will hasten probes much to their advantage.
The matter was discussed by India’s elite National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Bangladesh officials.
A four-member team from the NIA, India’s main counter-terrorism arm, led by its chief Sharad Kumar, came on a two-day visit Monday.
The two countries agreed it was crucial to share information in the event of terror attacks or the arrest of any militant.
“NIA team members have given us their mobile phone numbers saying, we were free to call whenever we needed to. They promised to cooperate fully,” a Bangladeshi official, who attended meetings with the NIA, said on condition of anonymity.
Bangladesh officials, too, have underscored instant communication.
The NIA team met Bangladesh officials over Monday and Tuesday. Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Joint Commissioner Monirul Islam attended both meetings.
“We have discussed combating militancy. The NIA representatives invited us several times to visit their country.
“We’ll go if our government wants,” Islam told bdnews24.com, adding, “Everyone has agreed on uprooting militancy.”
NIA took over the investigation into a blast at house in Burdwan, in West Bengal, on Oct 2. They claimed the banned Jamaat-ul Mujaheedin Bangladesh’s (JMB) involvement in the blast.
It said the bombs being assembled at the house were meant to be used in terror attacks in Bangladesh.
The Indian investigators also said that several of those wanted in the blast case were believed to be Bangladesh nationals.
The agency claimed to have uncovered a JMB plot to assassinate Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia.
Indian media, quoting NIA officials, reported that they had got information on a cross-country terror network, leading to discussion on investigating in Bangladesh.
About the involvement of suspected Bangladeshis in the blast, Islam said, “They did not blame us. They just told us to promptly contact them if necessary.”
The NIA team met RAB officials on Tuesday night, handing over a list of 11 suspects in connection with the Burdwan blast. RAB gave the NIA a list of 51 absconders, including 10 militants, who are believed to be hiding in India.
“After analysing the NIA list, we’ve found three names that both countries are looking for,” DMP official Islam said.
“They are absconding JMB member Salauddin Salehin alias Sunny, Jahidul Islam alias Bomaru Mijan, and Faruk Hossain.”
Sunny, Mijan and JMB commander Rakibul Hasan were snatched in a daring daylight attack on a prison van at Mymensingh’s Trishal on Feb 26.
Hasan was arrested the same day from Tangail and was killed in an alleged ‘gunfight’ with police.
Police suspect Faruk Hossain alias Jamai Faruk masterminded the attack.
“NIA believes they (the trio) are involved in the Burdwan blast,” Islam said. “That’s why the Indian investigators are looking for them.”
Source: Bd news24
