Law enforcers are suspecting militant engagement in the discovery of two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) near police boxes in the city late on Tuesday (Jul 23). The IEDs were found in Paltana and Khamarbari.
In the last few years, a tendency has risen among militants to attack members of the police force; a month earlier, several members of the law enforcing agency were wounded when two such devices exploded near a traffic police box and a police vehicle.
Police officials say that militants who were cornered after the Jul 1, 2016 Holey Artisan attack, are trying to regroup and re-emerge.
Inspector General of Police Md Jabed Patwary, said, “We have deactivated the bombs found in Khamarbari and Paltan; these will be sent for forensic and DNA tests, which will take some time.”
"We are carrying out investigation and will share the details on time," he added.
The IEDs also had 6-7 container of Butane gas to maximize the explosion and damage.
Due to an IED explosion on Apr 29 evening near a traffic box in Gulistan, two members of the traffic police and one community police personnel were wounded. Around one month later, on May 26, a bomb exploded near the CID and SB office in Malibagh, injuring three persons including a police personnel.
Security around the capital was ramped up after these incidents and the police began a city wide drive to gather information about tenants.
Counter Terrorism And Transnational Crime (CTTC) officials say that for the last few years, Neo JMB and Ansar Al Islam had been carrying out operation. The Neo JMB had been involved in targeting liberal writers, bloggers and free thinkers.
It’s believed that a group of Neo JMB is still active under Abu Mohamamd Al Bangali while a leading figure of Ansar Al Islam, expelled major, Syed Ziaul Huq, is still a fugitive.
One CTTC official speculates the recent bomb placements may be the work of Neo JMB. There is another person called ‘Don Bhai’ who has not been identified as yet.
There is information that in the last few months, 5-6 young men left home in the name of religious travel. Last year, a marine engineer who got involved in militancy left home and his whereabouts are still unknown.
In the Gulisthan and Malibagh explosions, the law enforcers have analysed CCTV footage and have made a list of suspects. The CCTV footage from Palltan and Khamarbari is under analysis, they confirmed.