The United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) in India and the embassy of another South Asian country paid Tk 700 crore to high-ups of the BNP-led four-party alliance and intelligence agencies for safe transhipment of 10 truckloads of arms seized in Chittagong in 2004.

Detained former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar, who is on a five-day remand, gave the information yesterday during an interrogation at the Malibagh head office of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), said a senior official of the intelligence agency wishing anonymity.

Babar however denied receiving any share of the amount, said the official of the CID that is probing two cases filed in connection with the arms haul.

The former state minister claimed he knew everything but could not interfere in the matter as it was at the hands of "higherauthorities." Babar had to execute their orders, said the CID official quoting him.

"Babar remained silent when he was asked about the higher authorities," said the intelligence official.

Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (CID) Md Moniruzzaman Chowdhury, also investigation officer of the case, said they

interrogated Babar for the third day.

He declined to give any details.

Former home secretary Omar Faruk, DGFI director Brig Gen Rezzaqul Haider Chowdhury, NSI director general Brig Gen (retd) Md Abdur Rahim, director (security) wing commander (retd) Sahabuddin Ahmed, DIG (Special Branch) Shamsul Islam, DIG (CID) Farrukh Ahmed, NSI director Brig Gen Enamur Rahman, CMP commissioner SM Sabbir Ali had earlier made confessions to the court.

Ten truckloads of submachine guns, AK-47 assault rifles, other firearms and bullets were seized at the Karnaphuli coast in Chittagong onApril2,2004.

Two cases — one under the Special Powers Act for arms smuggling and the other under the Arms Act — were filed with the Karnaphuli Police Station the next day against 43 people with links to the arms haul.