Around seven to eight suspected militants, including women and children, have reportedly been killed themselves by blasting bombs during the two-day ‘Operation Hit Back’, carried out by Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit at Nasirpur hideout in Moulvibazar Sadar upazila.
A similar operation will be conducted today (Friday) morning in another militant den which was cordoned off by law enforcers at Borohat of Moulvibazar Municipality area on Wednesday, said our Moulvibazar correspondent quoting police sources.
“Seven to eight bodies scattered by explosions were found inside Nasirpur militant hideout,” Chief of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Chief Monirul Islam said this while briefing journalists at Khalilpur union Complex Bhaban adjacent to the spot after ending of the two-day ‘Operation Hit Back’ on Thursday afternoon.
Monirul added: “We entered the building and found limbs of bodies scattered. It seemed to us that there may be seven to eight bodies. There were limbs of bodies of man, woman and teenage.” “When the militants anticipate that there was no scope to flee away, they killed themselves by blasting bombs,” he said. Monirul also said another militant den at Borohat of Moulvibazar Municipality area was also cordoned off. After completing the preparation, the operation would be launched there Friday morning, he added.
“We’re primarily sure the slain militants are the members of Neo JMB and they had communication with the militants who were killed at Atia Mahal in Sylhet,” the CTTC Chief added.
Replying to a query, Monirul said they found the militant den while investigating the double blast incident that took place near Atia Mahal in Sylhet, another militant den.
The briefing was arranged after the conclusion of the “Operation Hit Back” carried out by Special Weapon and Tactic Team (SWAT) and CTTC members there since Wednesday afternoon. “Several drones were used for identifying grenades and explosive in the den before conducting raid,” the CTTC Chief said. Earlier in the afternoon, a bomb disposal team entered the den around 4:00pm and found the bodies. They entered the hideout after disposing grenades and bombs.
Monirul Islam said that it was difficult to ascertain the exact number of dead as many of the bodies have been torn to pieces.
Moulvibazar Assistant Superintendent of Police Roshunuzzaman Siddiqqui said that both the raids have been code-named as ‘Operation Hit Back’.
Sylhet Range DIG Kamrul Ahsan said that the Nasirpur hideout has been brought under control of the SWAT team.
SWAT will also begin operations at the Borohat den today (Friday) morning, as they were impeded by low visibility. The area is still cordoned off.
Meanwhile, Police have collected DNA samples from the mother of militant Musa, a New JMB leader who is suspected to have been killed in ‘Operation Twilight’ in Sylhet, said Kotwali Police OC Sohel Ahmed.
He said they collected the samples on Thursday afternoon at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.
In Comilla, SWAT team will launch attach in a den today (Friday) which was besieged by law enforcers at Gondhomoti in Kotbari of South Comilla on Wednesday afternoon, said Superintendent of Police of Comilla Shah Abid Hossain.
