From Indian bordering area, the arrestees used to smuggle firearms and the ingredients of handmade grenades. “Neo JMB” in recent attacks across the country used those firearms and improvised grenades, according the post.
The portal further reported that Mizanur Rahman alias Boro Mizan, who leads “Neo JMB” Chapainawabganj district unit, and Mizanur Rahman alias Chhoto Mizan alias Tara are the main recipients of the firearms and explosives from across the border.
In primary interrogation, investigators learnt that the arrestees are involved in illegal arms and explosives smuggling through Bangladesh-India border in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj.
A counterterrorism official said “Neo JMB” leadership in Bangladesh used to place demand for arms and ammunition to JMB men in India, who include some Bangladeshi militants hiding there.
The Indian group in association with some Indian criminals collected small arms and explosives and smuggled those to “Neo JMB” through Chapainawabganj border.
The arms and explosives then reached Dhaka, hidden in the baskets of mangoes and other fruits.
“This was how the arms and grenade-making materials were supplied for the Gulshan attack,” Additional Deputy Commissioner Sanwar Hossain of the counterterrorism unit told The Daily Star yesterday.
“We have already identified some Bangladeshi militants hiding in India. They were involved in collecting the arms and explosives,” he said but refused to disclose the names for the sake of investigation.
Earlier, police said two top “Neo JMB” leaders, involved in the April 23 murder of Prof Rezaul Karim Siddiquee, went to India months before the Gulshan siege possibly to ensure supply of firearms for the terror attack.
The two — Mamunur Rashid Ripon alias Jahangir and Shariful Islam Khaled — are still hiding in India, officials say.
ADC Sanwar said investigation found that the firearms and grenade-making materials used in the Gulshan café attack were smuggled in April.
On the night of July 1, militants seized the café, frequented by foreigners, and killed 20 hostages, including nine Italian, seven Japanese and one Indian citizen.
Two police officers were also killed in their bid to end the siege.
The over-12-hour siege ended after the launch of a commando operation in which five terrorists and a café chef were killed.
Another café staff was arrested for his suspected link with the terrorists, a police claim that his family denied outright. He later died in a hospital.
The authorities have all along claimed that “Neo JMB”, as called by law enforcers, is an offshoot of banned militant outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh. Inspired by the ideology of Islamic State, it is skilled in modern technology and equipped with sophisticated firearms, investigators say.
JMB operatives, who became inactive after Mawlana Saidur Rahman took over as the chief following Abdur Rahman’s execution in 2007, formed “Neo JMB”, investigators also say.
In the Gulshan siege case, police have arrested former North South University teacher Hasnat Karim, a survivor of the July 1 attack.
Officials at the counterterrorism unit said apart from the four arrestees, three more “Neo JMB” operatives, including a key leader, were involved in the smuggling of the firearms and the explosive-making materials.
Source: The Daily Star
