Four suspected members of banned militant outfit Ansar al-Islam were detained from Gabtali and Savar area in the capital on Sunday. Acting on tip-off, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) – 4 personnel detained the four in a drive. Rab-4 Commanding Officer (CO) Mozammel Haque came up with ther information at a press conference at RAB Media center on Monday.
Mozammel said, “Earlier they were part of Harkat-ul-Jihad. But, they now belong to Ansar al-Islam. They also collect Eyanat (funding) through internet based members. They communicate with fellow group members using protective encrypted apps, texts and browser in a ‘cut out way’. ”
Their aim was to establish Shariah based state and operating targeted killing who stands against their belief, the Rab commander claimed to media. He also said using sophisticated technology via internet, banned militant outfit Ansar al-Islam is trying to reorganise countrywide.
Mozammel claimed that during initial grilling, all the detainees had confessed to being members of Ansar al-Islam. At the briefing, RAB-4 senior ASP Sajedul Islam Sajal said, “Most of the members are active for more than 10 years. One Ahammed Sohael (21), who become part them 3 years ago, also got connected with them through the internet and maintained the chain relationship with Ansar al-Islam top leaders,”
Ideological opponents of Islam were their main target. RAB has information on more than 25 members of this circle. Operation was underway to nab them, he added. Arrested alleged militants are Mufti Saiful Islam (34), Saleem Mia (30), Junaid (37) and Ahmed Sohail (21).
A number of digital tools including laptops and smart phones were recovered from their possessions during the detention. There have been clips of militant training. RAB seized books, leaflets, laptops and smart phones -- all containing militancy elements -- from them. They also found digital contents used to train militants.