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Target to catch 20 militant leaders

Rab gets special instructions, high alert on borders

Shamim Ashraf
The law-enforcers are hunting at least 20 Islamist militant leaders including Bangla Bhai in the northern region as part of the ongoing crackdown.
Border forces have been put on high alert and instructed to keep vigil so that the militant leaders cannot leave the country, well-placed sources said.
The photos and profiles of the militant leaders have been sent to
different border points, the sources added but declined to disclose the names.
Intelligence sources said all the leaders are still hiding in the country and they have spread rumours of leaving the country only to deceive the law-enforcers.
The government has launched the crackdown following investigation that found the militant groups' link with the series of bomb blasts
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across the country.
The Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) is learnt to have been given special instructions for intensifying operations to net the militant leaders as the police failed to do so.
"Operation has been intensified in the whole northern region," said Captain Shahriar of Rab-5, when asked about the combing operation against militants.
The government on Wednesday banned Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) and Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) as the first step to halt militant activities.
Sources said the list of 20 militant leaders has been prepared on the confessional statements of their operatives arrested in the last few weeks from different districts.
The arrestees have confessed to their involvement in bomb blasts at social, cultural and religious functions as well as Brac and Grameen Bank offices across the country.
During interrogation, the arrestees disclosed several names including those of JMJB leader Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai, his spiritual leader Moulana Abdur Rahman and Ahle Hadith Anodolon Bangladesh (Ahab) chief Dr Asadullah al Galib.
"We have prepared the list of top 20 wanted militant leaders after consulting the names the arrestees
disclosed and the reports of intelligence agencies," said a source.
A government press note issued on the ban of the militant organisations JMJB and JMB on Wednesday said the series of murders, bomb attacks and robbery incidents prompted the government to intensify police vigil all over the country.
The press note mentioned the arrest of a number of suspects in Bogra, Joypurhat, Sirajganj, Gaibandha, Moulvibazar, Gopalganj, Dhamrai and Savar and seizure of explosives and "objectionable books and booklets".
Some of the suspects said they all are members of JMJB and JMB and engaged in criminal activities. In identical statements, they claimed Bangla Bhai and Rajshahi University teacher Galib to be their leaders, the press note read.
Several high officials on condition of anonymity said the government has engaged Rab in cracking down on the militant leaders following the failure of the police.
Besides, the reports of some police officials' relations with Bangla Bhai and patronage of his activities also prompted the government to deploy Rab, said sources.
The Rab will hunt for the Islamist militants especially in the northern region, battered by an alarming rise of militant activities in recent years.