After a hiatus, banned Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) is trying to make a comeback.
It’s believed that to collect funds, the Islamist outfit is carrying out robberies. Reportedly, they carried out an armed robbery in a house in the capital and, in a gold selling shop in Joydevpur recently.
They have also begun target killings. On Jun 11, they shot and killed secular writer-publisher Shahjahan Bachchu in Munshiganj.
Law enforcers say that JMB operatives hiding in India are being led by one Salahuddin Salehin, a militant who was snatched from a prison van in Mymensingh’s Trishal in 2014.
Additional IG of the police HQ (intelligence and special affairs), Md Moniruzzaman, says: “There’s information of the old JMB regrouping; however, there is no need for alarm because we are maintaining relentless vigilance.”
Counter terrorism sources say, terror suspect Abdur Rahman confirmed during interrogation that the JMB is trying to create a fund by robbery and through other illegal means.
It’s believed from information gleaned from Rahman that the robbed items were divided in three parts, one went to Salahuddin Salehin, another was used for the sustenance of those engaged in robbery and the third part was given to the families of those who are in prison.
One official said that recently, Tk 1.7 million was handed to the families of those behind bars.
Robbery is justified from a religious angle with the indoctrinated belief that if robbery and other forms of stealing are done in the name of Khelafat then these will not be deemed sinful.
Such an explanation has appealed to many professional robbers who have joined the JMB, informed intelligence officials.