The Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) has arrested four suspected militants, including two top regional leaders of banned group Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh’s (JMB) regional leaders, from a house in Sirajganj’s Shahjadpur upazila.
Rab officials said they had cordoned off the house in the municipality’s Ukilpara neighbourhood on Friday morning (from 5am) based on information provided by militants arrested the previous day, reports UNB.
Four suspected militants surrendered until 11am. Rab Legal and Media wing chief Lt Col Ashik Billah said Rajshahi region JMB chief Mahmud and Pabna-Sirajganj regional chief Kiran were among the arrestees.
They are currently being interrogated.
There was a loud explosion in the house in the morning. Until 11am, four suspected militants had surrendered to Rab.
A senior Rab official told the media that the house was used as a training centre.
“We suspect several more militants might be hiding in the house,” Billah said.
On Thursday night, four militants, including JMB Rajshahi’s Shah Makhdum unit chief Mahbub, were arrested, said Acting Company Commander of Sirajganj Rab-12 Md Mohiuddin Miraj.
The raid in Sirajganj was conducted based on information provided by Mahbub.
Neighbours said some youths had rented the ground floor of an under-construction building bought by one Khairul Alam.
The house was frequented by many unknown people and some residents of the house were running a shop in the neighbourhood.
Some used to sell fried snacks at Alif-Lam-Mim Bhatarmor area, locals said.
Rab said more information would be provided later.
The government launched a massive crackdown on militants after the July 1, 2016 Holey Artisan attack. Successful raids and deaths of top militant leaders had brought down militant activities in the country.