Key points from the press briefing on Saturday; April 1, 2017

Key points from the press briefing on Friday; March 31, 2017

Key points from the press briefing on Thursday; March 30, 2017

Four militants were killed in the raid conducted in the last five days at a militant hideout in the Shibbari area of Sylhet.

Six people, including two police officials, died in two bomb blasts near the den while more than 40 people have been injured.

Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital Resident Medical Officer Palash Roy says the bodies of the deceased militants were stored in the hospital morgue at 4:10pm. Details regarding the identities of the militants will be revealed after the initial police report. [caption id="attachment_55872" align="aligncenter" width="800"]The ambulance carrying the bodies of the dead militants from the Borohat den to Moulvibazar Sadar hospital[/caption]- Three militants – two males and a female – have died during Operation Maximus in Moulvibazar’s Borohat, counter-terrorism unit chief Monirul Islam says announcing successful completion of the raid. - Police wanted to arrest them alive and had urged surrender. - One of the militants was responsible for the attack near Atia Mahal on March 25, where two IEDs were detonated killing six people. He fled to Moulvibazar following the attack. - So far nine police officials, including RAB intelligence wing chief Lt Col Abul Kalam Azad, have died during the anti-militancy raids. - The female militant at Moulvibazar's Borohat den hurled two grenades at SWAT soon after the raid started on Thursday. - SWAT took a slow and cautious approach during Operation Maximus to minimise casualties. - Two huge explosions rocked the building on Friday evening after SWAT suspended operation for the night. Smoke was seen billowing out of the building. - The militants had planted IEDs throughout the building. - At the Nasirpur hideout in Moulvibazar, the militants had kept the four children close to them when they detonated their suicide vests. - Police have urged landlords across the country to be careful before renting their houses. [caption id="attachment_55850" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Police's CTTC unit chief Monirul Islam briefing media on Operation Maximus in Moulvibazar[/caption]Three militants have been killed in Operation Maximus, CTTC Chief Monirul Islam says in a briefing. “Operation Maximus has officially ended,” the CTTC chief adds.A bomb disposal unit has entered the building, Operation Maximus will end soon, says Addl SP Rowshanuzzaman.Police likely to brief media around 12:30pm.SWAT team resumed the operation around 8:30am, says Addl SP Rowshanuzzaman Siddique. [caption id="attachment_55841" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Police will brief here shortly regarding the raid[/caption]Moulvibazar Additional Superintendent of Police Rowshanuzzaman Siddique confirms that there was an explosion at the hideout around 8:30pm and SWAT fired in retaliation. He adds that the second floor of the hideout is now on fire.Moulvibazar Ward 6 Councillor Jalal Ahmed, whose house is located near the Borohat hideout, says that two gunshots and an explosion were heard from the building around 9pm.- CTTC Chief Monirul Islam says that the operation is ongoing and has been halted for the night due to low light. - Operation will be resumed from tomorrow morning, weather permitting. - Explosions that have been heard were IEDs set off by militants whenever SWAT tried to approach the building. - The number of militants inside the building is still unknown. - The militants are suspected to have a huge cache of explosives. - The operation is proving difficult as the hideout has a number of different rooms wherein militants may be hiding.[arve url="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/315408178&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true"/]CTTC Chief Monirul Islam says at the press conference that the operation has been suspended due to low light and bad weather. He adds that militants are still inside and have been setting off explosions whenever law enforcement officials tried to approach. The operation will be resumed tomorrow morning. [caption id="attachment_55721" align="aligncenter" width="800"]CTTC Chief Monirul Islam at a press conference near the Borohat militant hideout on Friday, March 31, 2017[/caption]Police announce that there will be a press briefing around 7pm.Our Moulvibazar correspondent hypothesises that police have continued firing to ensure there are no more militants in the hideout.More gunshots heard from the hideout, reports our correspondent Saiful Islam from the spot. [caption id="attachment_55779" align="alignnone" width="1024"]Law enforcement agency members attempt entry into the Borohat hideout using an APC[/caption]Moulvibazar Addl SP Rowshanuzzaman Siddique says that they suspect three to four militants have died in the hideout by detonating suicide vests.Another explosion heard from the den.Two explosions and more gunshots heard from the Borohat hideout. Smoke can be seen billowing from the building. [caption id="attachment_55781" align="alignnone" width="800"]Members of SWAT approach the Borohat den with a riot shield for protection[/caption]Moulvibazar Additional Superintendent of Police Rowshanuzzaman Siddique tells the Dhaka Tribune: "Injured constable Kowsar Uddin has been taken to Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital." [caption id="attachment_55680" align="aligncenter" width="800"]An ambulance near the Borohat hideout where a police constable was injured on Friday, March 31, 2017[/caption]Two loud explosions heard from the den, reports our correspondent Tarek Mahmud.An ambulance leaves the spot with an injured policeman, reports our correspondent Saiful Islam.More gunshots can be heard from the den. [caption id="attachment_55688" align="aligncenter" width="800"]An APC near the Borohat militant den on Friday, March 31, 2017[/caption]In a press briefing, CTTC Chief Monirul Islam says they suspect a top militant leader might be inside the hideout.Sylhet Range DIG Kamrul Ahsan tells the Dhaka Tribune: "We have seen the movement of three militants inside the den using a drone. A female militant is also inside it."Moulvibazar Additional Superintendent of Police Roshunuzzaman Siddique tells the Dhaka Tribune: "We have code-named this raid as Operation Maximus." [caption id="attachment_55653" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Closed shop and deserted street during the crackdown on suspected militants in Borohat den on March 31, 2017[/caption]"We can hear gunshots and explosions from inside the militant den," says Moulvibazar Ward 6 Councillor Jalal Ahmed, whose house is located near the Borohat hideout.Gunfire can be heard from inside the Borohat den, reports our correspondent Saiful Islam."SWAT has begun the operation at the Borohat den," Moulvibazar Additional Superintendent of Police Roshunuzzaman Siddique confirms the Dhaka Tribune.CTTC Chief Monirul Islam says that police have detained Jewel Ahmed, the caretaker of the two houses in Nasirpur and Borohat. The CTTC chief adds that Jewel’s role in militancy will be scrutinised. Jewel’s mother Fulbibi rushed to the scene Thursday afternoon. She says that London expatriate Saifur Rahman, the owner of the houses, employed Jewel to look after the houses three years ago, since when she has had little communication with her son.- CTTC unit Chief Monirul Islam says that 7-8 dead militants have been found in the Nasirpur hideout. - He says it is difficult to ascertain the exact number of dead as many of the bodies have been torn to pieces in suicide blasts. - From different sources, law enforcement agencies determined that the militants in Sitakunda, Shibbari and Moulvibazar are members of New JMB. - Three points of similarity between the militants: 1)Similar weaponry and equipment, including IEDs 2) Similar tactics and modus operandi 3)Similar manner of death - Nasirpur hideout had a massive stash of IEDs that were planted at the entrances - IEDs were photographed by drones used by law enforcement agencies - The IEDs are also very similar to those found on the suicide attacker near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Friday, March 24, 2017The Nasirpur militants died in a suicide blast, confirm police sources. The dead are one male, two females and four children.A SWAT team has been dispatched to the Borohat militant hideout, our Moulvibazar correspondent confirms quoting counter-terrorism (CTTC) unit sources. Law enforcement members are currently investigating the Nasirpur militant den. [arve url="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjn.saiful%2Fvideos%2F10210562102603089%2F&show_text=0&width=560"/]CTTC unit Chief Monirul Islam says that 7-8 dead bodies have been found in the Nasirpur hideout. He says it is difficult to ascertain the exact number of dead as many of the bodies have been torn to pieces. [arve url="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjn.saiful%2Fvideos%2F10210562080122527%2F&show_text=0&width=560"/]Sylhet Range DIG Kamrul Ahsan says that at least three militants have been killed at the Nasirpur hideout.More gunfire heard from the Nasirpur den. [caption id="attachment_55558" align="aligncenter" width="800"]CTTC unit Chief Monirul Islam at a press briefing on Thursday, March 30, 2017[/caption]The operation at Nasirpur den is in its final stage, reports our correspondent Tarek Mahmud.SWAT fires tear shells inside the den.Gunfire can be heard from inside the Nasirpur den, reports our correspondent Saiful Islam. [caption id="attachment_55559" align="aligncenter" width="800"]An ambulance near the Nasirpur hideout on Thursday, March 30, 2017[/caption]SWAT attributes the five or six loud explosions heard to bomb defusal.SWAT sweeping for explosives at the Nasirpur village hideout.Moulvibazar Superintendent of Police Mohammad Shahjalal tells the Dhaka Tribune: "SWAT has started conducting the operation at Nasirpur village." [caption id="attachment_55415" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Police seen patrolling at Kushumbag point near Borohat on March 30[/caption]Moulvibazar Additional Superintendent of Police Roshunuzzaman Siddique tells the Dhaka Tribune: "Both the raids have been code-named as "Operation Hit Back." "The operation has been temporarily halted due to bad weather."CTTC officials, asking to remain anonymous, say that the raid shall be code-named "Operation Hit Back." [caption id="attachment_55473" align="aligncenter" width="800"]Law enforcement officials standing outside a madrasa located near the Borohat militant den[/caption]Our correspondent on the spot, Saiful Islam, says that gunshots can be heard from the Borohat hideout.Sylhet Range DIG Kamrul Ahsan says that the Nasirpur hideout has been brought under the control of the SWAT team. However, further operations and examination of the building will be suspended till morning as there may be IEDs, he adds. The area will remain cordoned off till morning. SWAT will also begin operations at the Borohat den in the morning, as they were impeded by low visibility. The area is still cordoned off. [caption id="attachment_55417" align="aligncenter" width="800"] The militant den at Borohat in Moulvibazar[/caption]No gunfire or explosions heard from the Nasirpur hideout since 7:22pm. Ambulances and police vehicles are seen heading towards the area.Our correspondent on the spot, Tarek Mahmud, informs that the sounds of gunfire and explosions from the Nasirpur hideout has intensified. Law enforcement agencies cut off electricity to the area and turn off police sirens, shrouding it in total darkness. It begins raining.Gunfighting and explosions heard from the Nasirpur hideout.A contingent of SWAT arrives at the Borohat den.SWAT begins operation at Nasirpur den. [arve url="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmcstv1%2Fvideos%2F777861489036427%2F&show_text=0&width=560"/]Our correspondent at the spot witnesses one minibus, three micro buses and 2 pick-up trucks from SWAT arrive at the Nasirpur village hideout.Moulvibazar Additional Superintendent of Police Roshunuzzaman Siddique tells the Dhaka Tribune: "We will not start the raid until SWAT arrives.""Local administration has imposed Section 144 within two-kilometre of the militant dens which are now cordoned off by police," Moulvibazar Deputy Commissioner Tofayel Ahmed said.“Three or four militants may be hiding at the Borohat den and several other militants, including women, are holed up in the Kalimhat hideout,” Home Minister Kamal says while replying to a question about the possible number of militants. [caption id="attachment_55250" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Law enforcers getting ready to raid the militant hideout at Nasirpur village[/caption]Landlord Saifur's nephew Atik says: “The families rented the bungalow-styled houses two months back. While renting the houses, both the families said they work for RFL Group.” [arve url="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F100004751710969%2Fvideos%2F759512810883769%2F&show_text=0&width=560"/] “The Nasirpur bungalow, which is situated on three acres of land, was rented out for Tk7,000. Two males, a woman and two kids live in the house. He adds that caretaker Jewel and his wife live at the house.In a press briefing, Home Minister Assaduzzaman Khan Kamal says: “SWAT has left Dhaka for Moulvibazar. They will conduct drives at the militant dens.”He says: “The raid will start once SWAT and the bomb disposal unit reach the spot. If needed, commandos will be deployed too.”Foyez Uddin Shamsu, owner of a shop located 200 yards away from the hideouts, says: “I arrived at my shop around 9am but found it locked.”Sylhet Range DIG Kamrul Ahsan, who arrived at the spot a few hours ago, says: “We cordoned off the houses in the early hours of the day. We are trying to get inside the houses.”Police sources say they suspect several top JMB leaders are in the dens.Moulvibazar Municipal Councillor Jalal Ahmed tells the Dhaka Tribune: “Both the houses are owned by London expatriate Saifur Rahman. “The den in Borohat is a three-storey building while that of Nasirpur village is one-storey.” He says the building in Borohat is located near a madrasa. [caption id="attachment_55212" align="aligncenter" width="800"] [/caption]Gunshots and explosions heard from the building in Nasirpur, locals say.Moulvibazar Sadar police station Sub-Inspector Abdul Aziz says: “Three grenades have been hurled targeting law enforcers from the building in Borohat area.”CTTC Additional Deputy Commissioner Abdul Mannan says local police and CTTC officials are present at the spot.Police’s Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit Deputy Commissioner Mohibul Islam says: “We have information that several militants are hiding in these two dens.”Moulvibazar Superintendent of Police Mohammad Shahjalal tells the Dhaka Tribune they suspect that militants are hiding in the buildings which have been cordoned off by the law enforcers.Police have cordoned off two suspected militant hideouts in Borohat area and Nasirpur village under Moulvibazar sadar upazila since 2am on Wednesday.