Experts fear more suicide attacks

Leading security experts yesterday warned against more suicide blasts if the government fails to eliminate the masterminds of militant attacks. Some of them suggested that a combined anti-militant force must be formed with members from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) National Security Intelligence (NSI), Special Branch (SB), Detective Branch (DB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Unit to combat militancy. However, a renowned counter terrorism expert said if defence forces are engaged to fight local militants, it might send a negative signal to the world. Engaging defence forces will unnecessarily add to the gravity of the situation for the international community, he added. Talking to The Independent immediately after the suicide blast yesterday, security expert Abdur Rob Khan said such suicidal blasts might happen again in the coming days. “It’s really a daring act,” he added.  He also said militants are trying to reorganise and draw the attention of local and international media by committing such daring attacks. “Militancy is a global phenomena and Bangladesh is also facing it,” he added.
Another security expert, Air Commodore (retd) Ishfaq Ilahi, said, “We must find out who are making electronic circuits and suicide belts. We must trace them along with the suicide attackers.”
“We’ve not yet found out who are making these suicide bombs,” he added.
Terming the new trend of terror attacks as a serious warning for national security, Ishfaq Ilahi said, “We must think about a combined anti-militant force to combat militancy. If such force is formed, our intelligence-sharing capacities will significantly increase.”
While discussing the engagement of the common people in combating militancy, Ishfaq Ilahi said, ‘‘Apart from engaging the common people, political dialogue is also a must. We must arrive at a consensus at a minimum point immediately.”
Replying to a question on whether the war crime scandal hit the Jamaat-Shibir will also be included in the political dialogue, the security expert said, “No. But at least two major political parties with 90 per cent public support can sit together to reach a consensus.” Asked over the government’s denial of the presence of Islamic States (IS) in the country, Ishfaq Ilahi said, ‘‘I think the government has complete information and it is denying the IS presence because of the interests of the state. We shouldn’t discuss this crucial issue publicly. There’s a problem.”
Another security expert, Maj. Gen. (retd) Abdur Rashid, said, “Suicide blasts are nothing new, but targeting the offices of law enforcing agency is definitely a new trend in the country.”
Speaking on how to combat militancy, Abdur Rashid said, “Security measures can never stop militant attacks. It can only reduce the frequency of such attacks. This is why law enforcement agencies should adopt aggressive stance against militants.” Law enforcement agencies should also obtain actual data on how many people have been trained as suicide attackers and who are training them, he added
As global terror outfits are losing their strongholds due to the ongoing anti-militant operations by international forces, they might also plan to expand their activities in new places, said Abdur Rashid. A young man, believed to be a suicide bomber, yesterday killed himself detonating explosives tied to his body outside the proposed camp of the RAB at Ashkona in the capital yesterday noon. The identity of the deceased, aged around 25, could not be ascertained yet.

 

Experts fear more suicide attacks

Leading security experts yesterday warned against more suicide blasts if the government fails to eliminate the masterminds of militant attacks. Some of them suggested that a combined anti-militant force must be formed with members from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) National Security Intelligence (NSI), Special Branch (SB), Detective Branch (DB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Unit to combat militancy. However, a renowned counter terrorism expert said if defence forces are engaged to fight local militants, it might send a negative signal to the world. Engaging defence forces will unnecessarily add to the gravity of the situation for the international community, he added. Talking to The Independent immediately after the suicide blast yesterday, security expert Abdur Rob Khan said such suicidal blasts might happen again in the coming days. Its really a daring act, he added. He also said militants are trying to reorganise and draw the attention of local and international media by committing such daring attacks. Militancy is a global phenomena and Bangladesh is also facing it, he added. Another security expert, Air Commodore (retd) Ishfaq Ilahi, said, We must find out who are making electronic circuits and suicide belts. We must trace them along with the suicide attackers. Weve not yet found out who are making these suicide bombs, he added. Terming the new trend of terror attacks as a serious warning for national security, Ishfaq Ilahi said, We must think about a combined anti-militant force to combat militancy. If such force is formed, our intelligence-sharing capacities will significantly increase. While discussing the engagement of the common people in combating militancy, Ishfaq Ilahi said, Apart from engaging the common people, political dialogue is also a must. We must arrive at a consensus at a minimum point immediately. Replying to a question on whether the war crime scandal hit the Jamaat-Shibir will also be included in the political dialogue, the security expert said, No. But at least two major political parties with 90 per cent public support can sit together to reach a consensus. Asked over the governments denial of the presence of Islamic States (IS) in the country, Ishfaq Ilahi said, I think the government has complete information and it is denying the IS presence because of the interests of the state. We shouldnt discuss this crucial issue publicly. Theres a problem. Another security expert, Maj. Gen. (retd) Abdur Rashid, said, Suicide blasts are nothing new, but targeting the offices of law enforcing agency is definitely a new trend in the country. Speaking on how to combat militancy, Abdur Rashid said, Security measures can never stop militant attacks. It can only reduce the frequency of such attacks. This is why law enforcement agencies should adopt aggressive stance against militants. Law enforcement agencies should also obtain actual data on how many people have been trained as suicide attackers and who are training them, he added As global terror outfits are losing their strongholds due to the ongoing anti-militant operations by international forces, they might also plan to expand their activities in new places, said Abdur Rashid. A young man, believed to be a suicide bomber, yesterday killed himself detonating explosives tied to his body outside the proposed camp of the RAB at Ashkona in the capital yesterday noon. The identity of the deceased, aged around 25, could not be ascertained yet.