7 charred bodies found at Mirpur ‘militant den’

Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) recovered seven charred bodies, including those of two women and two children, from a militant hideout in the capital yesterday.

“We’ve found the charred remains of seven people, including that of militant Abdullah, his two wives, two children and two associates, at the militant hideout. Their bodies were burnt to ashes,” RAB director general Benazir Ahmed told journalists at a press briefing held at the spot.

He said Abdullah was a member of Al-Ansar of the JMB’s Sarwar-Tamim group. There were large quantities of explosives in the militant hideout, whose fourth and fifth floors have been damaged by explosions, he added.

Many pigeons, too, have been killed due to the blasts, he said.

RAB sources said they had cordoned off the building, ‘Kamal Prova’, at Mazar Road in Mirpur around 11pm on Monday, following a tip-off about the existence of a militant hideout on its fifth floor. Later, utility services like gas, electricity and water supply were disconnected.

In addition, the RAB evacuated at least 65 people from the building the same night. It was suspected that Abdullah and other militants were hiding in the building and they were urged to surrender.

The RAB also said though the militants had agreed to surrender, they at the final moment blasted themselves off by triggering three massive explosions around 10pm on Tuesday. Four RAB personnel, too, sustained splinter injuries caused by the explosions.

The RAB, along with bomb squad and fire service members, started searching the debris yesterday morning and found the charred bodies.

Benazir Ahmed said they have recovered several bones from the spot and the identities of the deceased could be confirmed with the help of DNA tests. The law enforcers, however, could not stay inside the building for long as the temperature there was around 55-60 degrees Celsius, he added.

“We tried to rescue the innocent women and children alive, but eventually failed as Abdullah himself detonated the explosives, killing his family members and accomplices,” he remarked.

Abdullah had joined Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in 2005 and later joined the Neo JMB’s Sarwar-Tamim group in 2012. He provided shelter and financial help to top leaders of the militant outfit.

Many Neo JMB members, including Tamim Chowdhury and Sarwar Jahan, often visited this house, said Benazir Ahmed.

Abdul Awal, assistant superintendent of police of RAB-4, said Abdullah, son of Yusuf Ali, hailed from Chuadanga. He was living in the hideout with his two wives, Fatima and Nasrin, two children, Osama and Omar, and two associates. He also said that the RAB have detained Abdullah’s sister Meherunnesa from their village home.

RAB members were still maintaining vigil in the area.

AKM Shahidul Hoque, inspector general of police, visited the spot in the morning.

Earlier, on Tuesday, RAB had arrested two suspected militants while conducting a drive in Tangail district and got information about Abdullah and his associates from them.

7 charred bodies found at Mirpur militant den

Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) recovered seven charred bodies, including those of two women and two children, from a militant hideout in the capital yesterday. Weve found the charred remains of seven people, including that of militant Abdullah, his two wives, two children and two associates, at the militant hideout. Their bodies were burnt to ashes, RAB director general Benazir Ahmed told journalists at a press briefing held at the spot. He said Abdullah was a member of Al-Ansar of the JMBs Sarwar-Tamim group. There were large quantities of explosives in the militant hideout, whose fourth and fifth floors have been damaged by explosions, he added. Many pigeons, too, have been killed due to the blasts, he said. RAB sources said they had cordoned off the building, Kamal Prova, at Mazar Road in Mirpur around 11pm on Monday, following a tip-off about the existence of a militant hideout on its fifth floor. Later, utility services like gas, electricity and water supply were disconnected. In addition, the RAB evacuated at least 65 people from the building the same night. It was suspected that Abdullah and other militants were hiding in the building and they were urged to surrender. The RAB also said though the militants had agreed to surrender, they at the final moment blasted themselves off by triggering three massive explosions around 10pm on Tuesday. Four RAB personnel, too, sustained splinter injuries caused by the explosions. The RAB, along with bomb squad and fire service members, started searching the debris yesterday morning and found the charred bodies. Benazir Ahmed said they have recovered several bones from the spot and the identities of the deceased could be confirmed with the help of DNA tests. The law enforcers, however, could not stay inside the building for long as the temperature there was around 55-60 degrees Celsius, he added. We tried to rescue the innocent women and children alive, but eventually failed as Abdullah himself detonated the explosives, killing his family members and accomplices, he remarked. Abdullah had joined Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in 2005 and later joined the Neo JMBs Sarwar-Tamim group in 2012. He provided shelter and financial help to top leaders of the militant outfit. Many Neo JMB members, including Tamim Chowdhury and Sarwar Jahan, often visited this house, said Benazir Ahmed. Abdul Awal, assistant superintendent of police of RAB-4, said Abdullah, son of Yusuf Ali, hailed from Chuadanga. He was living in the hideout with his two wives, Fatima and Nasrin, two children, Osama and Omar, and two associates. He also said that the RAB have detained Abdullahs sister Meherunnesa from their village home. RAB members were still maintaining vigil in the area. AKM Shahidul Hoque, inspector general of police, visited the spot in the morning. Earlier, on Tuesday, RAB had arrested two suspected militants while conducting a drive in Tangail district and got information about Abdullah and his associates from them.