A Rapid Action Battalion team arrested seven operatives of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh, including a top leader, at Fulbaria of Mymensingh district Friday night.

The arrestees are Abdul Malek alias Musa, Shajib alias Robin, 27, a Majlish-e-Shura (highest policy-making body) member, two Eshar (full time) members--Ahsan Zahir Khan alias Roman, 35, and Rafiqul Islam alias Abdullah, 20, and four Gayeri Eshar (part-time) members--Faruq Hossain alias Butcher Faruq, 38, Mohammad Shahidullah Aminul Islam, 26, and Abdul Halim, 35.

The Rab team also recovered some books on militancy, eight cell phone sets, Tk 11,773 in cash and a briefcase full of wedding clothes and cosmetics, Rab sources said at a press briefing at its headquarters in Uttara. According to Rab sources, other Shura members are Shiblu alias Shishir, Sohel Mahfuz of Kushtia, Nazmul alias Bhagne Shahid of Natore, Osman alias Shahid of Comilla, Sayeem of Dhaka and Mahmud alias Asad ofPanchagarh.

Rab said Malek, who was in charge of Mymensingh region of JMB, might be inducted into the seven-member Majlish-e-Shura in place of Mehedi Hasan aliasAbir arrested last year.

Rab's legal and media wing Director Commander Mohammad Sohail said a Rab-9 team arrested the seven mili-tants near the Rural Electrification Board of Mymensingh while they were going to join the wedding party ofaJMB member.

Sohail added that the outfit members were also supposed to hold a secret meeting alongside the wedding ceremony.

Replying to a question, he said, "JMB has become very weak and is trying to recruit new cadres."

Rab has arrested several hundred JMB men including the top brass so far and hanged six Shura members along with chief Abdur Rahman and second-in-command Siddiqui Islam alias Bangla Bhai.

Later, Moulana Saidur Rahman became the ameer of the banned outfit who with most of other Shura members are eluding arrest.

Rab officials said JMB's strength has greatly been weakened.